We’ll begin painting with the night sky. My color recipes are shown above. #1. MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Ultramarine Blue + a tiny bit of Pthalo Blue + a little White. #2. Two shades of MUD + Ultramarine Blue + Pthalo Blue + White. #3. The #2 mixture + more White + a touch of Cadmium Orange. The colors of the Double Primary Oil Painting mixing system that I use are at the top of my glass topped palette. To learn more about this color mixing system that Jack developed CLICK HERE.
After painting the upper part of the sky with the #1 mix, the darkest of the #2 mixtures is used for the middle portion. To view this, or any other image larger, just click on the picture.
Moving downward, toward the top of the mountain, the lighter mixes are used. The lightest is reserved for the lowest portion of the sky.
Since it’s a clear night, the transitions between each color zone are carefully smoothed out. This was accomplished by lightly brushing over the sky with a clean brush. Then the tiny stars were added with a mix of White + a little Ultramarine Blue. The large Christmas star is painted with the same mix + a bit more White.
The snowy mountains behind the St. Francis Cathedral are covered with mixes of White + MUD + Ultramarine Blue, White + Ultramarine Blue and White + Ultramarine Blue + a little of mix #3 from the sky.
Leafless trees, lining the meadow along the base of the mountain, are painted with soft warm grays made of several mixes, in various proportions, of MUD + Cadmium Orange + Ultramarine Blue + White. The Cedar Tree growing by the church is blocked in with Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + a touch of White.
Snow blankets the Cedar Tree and we’re done for today. After seeing this picture, I realized the transition in the lower part of the sky needs to be smoothed out. SO, I just did that, you see how it looks in the next session. Please come back to visit my studio. I love having you along to join me in the journey of this painting. With Colorful Smiles,
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Mikki Senkarik 
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