Sad Trees - #AtoZChallenge

After much anticipation, I finally got to start my very first oil painting tonight. Actually, it's my first painting period. My assistant, Bob Ross, was his usual cheerful, encouraging self - even if I did have to pause him several times.

Boy does that guy move fast!

I didn't even make it through his entire thirty minute presentation in the hour and a half I spent working on my painting. To be fair, I did spent some of that time learning the ins and outs of cleaning my brushes and he had several on hand.

Note to self: buy more brushes and odorless paint thinner.

The stage is set. 

Blue skies and water below. The white spot in the middle is by intention. 

Here's my mountain.

Now you can see the water. My trees aren't happy like Bob's are, but it's ok.

Just to give you an idea, this is the sample picture of what I'm painting.

I've got to say, it really was pretty easy. A few things worked against me... my canvas is smaller than the one he's using, I don't have a multitude of brushes and I don't have a good brush cleaning system going. Overall though, I am very please with how I've done so far. My snow and happy tree techniques are lacking, but since my intent is to paint desert sunsets, snow really won't come into play often. Nor will pine trees, of which I am not a big fan of anyways.

Hopefully I'll be able to finish my painting tomorrow. So far I am very pleased. It's not perfect, but it's mine :)
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Oh, and today's photo prompt is bottle...

This bottle makes a great display. The wine however is awful.