Guardians of Snow - Colored Pencil Drawing

"Guardians of Snow" Colored Pencil

It’s the morning after a potent storm and Bergen Peak is a silvery citadel commanding a sparkling valley. Sprawled out below a turquoise sky, the backcountry landscape is blanketed by an encumbrance of fresh powder.


A ridge of supple conifers forms an impenetrable maze protecting the secluded kingdom from the busy world beyond. The Guardians of Snow glitter in the pristine surroundings, creating a vibrant mosaic of dark shadows and white highlights.


Up close, the forest is an abstract arrangement of nebulous shapes filled with a combination of flat and shaded hues. Blue, violet and gray are stippled across the page in free-flowing passages of pure pigment, exaggerating winter’s icy palette.


The somber color scheme betrays the glorious mood evoked from trudging through deep drifts just after dawn. Not even the frigid cold that grips the foothills can dampen the festive mood permeating a coming new year.

Comments

  1. Robin L.December 24, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    This is lovely! Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerDecember 27, 2020 at 9:25 PM

      Thank you! I hope all is well and Happy New Year!

      Delete
  2. PJDecember 29, 2020 at 2:40 PM

    Wonderful capture of light! Love the description. How long did it take you to do that piece? I live in Colorado Springs and after last night snow the frost on the trees was captivating before it melted. It would be neat to be able to draw it. Your work is so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan MillerDecember 31, 2020 at 10:33 AM

      Thanks so much! It did take a while because of all the detailing but it is a small drawing. I love how the landscape looks after a big storm. Happy New Year!

      Delete

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