"Bald Mountain with Golden Rod, Rangeley, Maine"
This is my high quality plein air watercolor painting study of Bald Mountain among Golden Rod from Sheldon Noyes Overlook, Rangeley, Maine. Bald mountain has two trailheads for hikers and offers 360-degree views from its observation tower, between Mooselookmeguntic and Rangeley Lakes and the surrounding mountains. The conservation area is bustling on the weekends for these popular trails. This study painted at Sheldon Noyes is one of the best views of the mountain, where you are close enough to see features yet far enough away to get a good composition that includes the whole western side of the mountain The Sumit is 2,470 feet with an alpine ski area that was once located at its northern slope.
I used a rare sheet of J. Whatman handmade watercolor paper about 140 lb press cotton rag paper and only pure Holbein watercolor pigments, because they have no fillers. I begin with a high quality cotton rag watercolor paper, then I use only high quality pigments including Holbein, Daniel Smith and Winsor & Newton watercolor paints. I wet the back of the paper 1st before laying in washes into the page, thus creating brighter colors that are more vivid and alive.
