Crags and Crevasses

This knife-painted acrylic (except the trees and cariboo) was inspired by a photo in a cruise line brochure that I had saved years ago.  It had recently reappeared and began taunting me to paint it.  It did take me a couple of weeks to put it on the "TODAY" list, so off it went with me to painting class, yesterday.  Wanting to loosen up on my normally rather tight style, I chose the painting knife and lots of paint.  My first sky was lovely, but definitely not what I wanted, so I worked some white into it while I still had the chance and gamely moved on.  (The ghost of the looming black animal kept close watch, too....)  The white for snow was far too thin, and all that I had with me was fluid, so it had very little body to give some texture.  Time to move on again !  The sides of the crevasses began to give some depth and dimension to things, and several minor colour changes told me to put some of the dusty blue in the snow to create the illusion of texture, at least.  After a bit more fine-tuning things were looking more hopeful !  Unfortunately, the dreaded cariboo ghost still needed to be laid to rest, so I mixed my black and painted in the trees.  Busyness and avoidance can make great companions when building resolve....  The swoop of Mr. C's back and rear were accomplished, and even his head went on reasonably well.  I am not taken by my antlers, but I can blame that on the poor selection of brushes in my kit.  (I know, it is really all my fault, but nothing is going to cover the black completely so I have to reluctantly accept what I created.)   

In the end I am delighted with the effects of the contrasts that I used, and will find a frame for this one !        I wonder if I could cover just enough of those antlers to let me try again....