“Contrasts no. 2″- Transparent watercolors from Daniel Smith and Winsor&Newton on Arches cold pressed cotton paper, 300g/m, 56x38cm. 2025. Reference photo by Roy L. Herron.
Description
This watercolor painting depicts a vibrant autumn forest reflected in the still surface of a lake in Vermont, USA. The composition emphasizes the brilliance of fall foliage, the vertical rhythm of tree trunks, and the mirrored symmetry of the reflection, with all white areas preserved from the paper either with masking fluid or by scratching the paper. The foreground is dominated by the lake, painted with layered washes of deep green, red, and gold to capture the reflection of the trees above. The water’s surface is suggested with horizontal brushstrokes and broken textures, while untouched areas of paper create shimmering highlights that mimic light glinting across the reflection. The midground features a narrow strip of shoreline, painted with warm ochres and browns. This thin band of earth separates the water from the dense forest, grounding the composition. The forest is alive with autumn color, painted in a rich palette of yellows, oranges, reds, and greens. Wet-on-wet blending creates soft transitions between hues, while stronger, layered washes add depth and intensity. The evergreen trees stand out in deep green, their triangular forms contrasting with the fiery deciduous foliage. The tree trunks are painted with vertical strokes of gray and brown, but their brightest highlights are achieved by leaving the paper untouched. These preserved white areas give the birch trees their luminous quality, standing out against the saturated background. The background is a dense canopy of foliage, painted with overlapping washes that create both vibrancy and depth. The technique combines transparent washes for the foliage, wet-on-wet blending for soft transitions, dry brush for texture, and deliberate preservation of the paper’s white for tree trunks, highlights, and reflections.
After purchasing you will receive the painting rolled in a cardboard tube, so that it will not be affected during shipping. No frame is included.
DUE TO THE DIFFERENCES IN MONITOR SETTINGS, COLOR MAY SEEM DIFFERENT IN REALITY THAN ON SCREEN.
© Olivia Checiu / oliviacheciuart.com
Purchase of an artwork does not transfer copyright. I retain all reproduction, licensing, and digital rights. Please do not use my art for prints, merchandise, or digital products without authorization.
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