This class really resonated with me because Chris’s intentional approach to painting mirrors how I like to work. I appreciated seeing the process broken down so clearly — it helped me stay grounded in each stage rather than jumping ahead.

While I followed the overall structure of the lesson, I made my own decisions along the way, especially with color temperature, snow handling, and how the light moved through the scene. I was inspired to lean into fir trees and a Pacific Northwest feel, since that is where I reside and what naturally finds its way into my work. Fir trees are always a challenge for me, particularly the negative space, but working through that difficulty was an important part of the learning.

I used Chris’s suggested palette and also added Cobalt Blue and Hematite Genuine, which worked beautifully for the distant trees and the soft, suggested winter foliage. I came away with a finished piece that feels like my own, along with an ever growing understanding of how to approach winter scenes with patience and clarity.

Thank you, Chris, for such a thoughtful and well-organized class — and for guiding with such calm ease throughout the process.