The cabin in the hills

With one set of Grandparents complete, "P" was back to work on a new painting for her other side.   This time, she chose out a beautiful landscape image with a cabin, and, a moose!   I was excited for her to work on this painting.  She would learn completely new techniques of painting, and this was totally different from her past, more modern/ abstract styles.  It is always fun to mix it up a bit.

"P" and I talked about the sky and adding in some yellow for interest and warmth.  She painted in long horizontal strokes to blend the paint and create the smooth sky.  Then, she learned how to dot in clouds.

The cabin was taped off, mostly because I know she loves to pull it off.  In fact, she informed me she also loves peeling off nail polish.  Ha!  Next up we worked with some gray shades to put in a mountian range, and brown for a path.

Smoothing it out...

Then using the same spotting technique as the clouds, and thicker paint application, "P" put in snow caps.

Next, she added a pond in the fore ground.  A perfect place for a moose to take a break!

Now the grain prairie.   Here I put 3 shades of green on the canvas and "P" used horizontal strokes to fill in the canvas again.

After it was filled with green, I showed her how to use that wet paint to her advantage.  Using quick upward strokes, she added texture to her paint, create a grassy field effect!  Very cool!

Look at her happy face peeling off the tape!  ha!

"P" was so fast today!  I couldn't believe how much we were getting done!   She worked on the cabin and added lily pads to her pond!

Window reflections.

Horizontal strokes to create the logs.

And WOW!   Amazing job "P"!  See you soon for the moose and some finishing touches!  I love it already!

Session 2:  Today was all about the details!  First I showed "P" how to add grass blades by the cabin.  She filled them in with her choices of green shades.  She also did some blending so a softer line was created between the cabin and the grass.   Then she dotted in little flowers by the cabin as well!

Now time for the MOOSE!  First we used a q-tip to put in the eye.   Then, using the sketch (so light you can't really see it in the photos) I had her add in a light shade and then blend a darker brown around it.  I told her the moose would be the hardest.  She told me it was totally easy!

 

 I did some outlining for her with the paint.  You can see her filling it in here.  Then we worked on those amazing antlers!

 And finally, I had her use upward brush strokes to put grass in front of the moose.

And this lovely painting was complete!   We did a few touch ups by thickening the paint in some spots and then called it complete!  AMAZING!  I love it "P"!   I have no doubt Grandma and Grandpa will too!