Progression

A mountain painting built in three passes.

This sequence shows the same picture before it is resolved. First the shape. Then the values and trees. Then the details that make it read as a finished winter scene.

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The first mountain stage with a dark ridge, a washed sky, and loose underpainting.

Step 1

Block in the big shapes.

The first pass only needs the ridge, the sky, and the rough placement of the foreground. If this is wrong, the rest of the painting fights you.

The second mountain stage with snow-covered peaks, darker trees, and more structure in the foreground.

Step 2

Add the structure and let the paint start to settle.

This is where the mountain starts to read, the trees come forward, and the sky stops looking like a blank wash.

The final mountain stage with snowy trees, a detailed ridge, and a pale winter foreground.

Step 3

Finish the edges and leave the brush marks alone.

The last pass sharpens the ridge, gives the trees weight, and keeps enough texture visible that it still feels painted.

Why this matters

Paintmoo gets interesting when the painting changes as you work it. That is what the brush model and color mixing are for. If you want the how-to version, read the beginner online oil painting tutorial.