Landscape Painting~ ^^

For my landscape painting, I wanted to experiment with different styles and compositions to create a storm  over a lake. I haven't been able to paint since sixth or seventh grade in middle school and I was really excited to work on getting better. I decided to attempt to compose a scene that would appeal to me and marvel me every time I looked at it. I started with a concept based around water because it is my favorite element. First I began to compose my painting, which started with me forming different angle view sketches and mentally adjusting minor details. After toggling my brain, I finally decided I wanted a lake in the front of my painting, buzzing with bouncing water droplets, and giant, husky trees being sunk down by the heavy downpour of rain. Which would all be slightly illuminated by the clouds and high up ripples of lightning. I wanted to add the feel of a more gloomy scene while maintaining a thin wave of comfort. My light source was subtle and faintly created by the far away flashes of light the storm had brought. I used that to add value and shade to my trees as well as my lake. The objects I painted worked perfectly with my color scheme analogous blue, blue-green and green. I attempted to widen my variety of brushstrokes in this painting. I dabbed small strokes on the lake for a rain affect and I tried longer strokes for the trees. For the clouds I used a sponge because it gave the wispy, almost non-existant form. The shading was rather fun, I got to create  darker areas and lighter areas to make my painting look and feel more alive. I'm glad I was finally able to paint again and I'm proud to say I was able to use the brushes and the paints I bought for home confidently~