Notes from the Studio: February 2026

Notes from the Studio: February 2026

Octavia Spriggs

Sketchbook Scenes

I’m working on my first series of the year: six paintings of the New River Gorge National Park.

I'm using my sketchbook heavily as a place to experiment with all kinds of composition and color variations before I get to the larger painting stage.

Another sketchbook spread: the New River Gorge Bridge from below, Thurmond Train Station, Beauty Mountain Overlook from a different angle, and Concho Overlook. Having value studies next to the painting is pretty key.

When I first learned to paint, I would get stuck on painting things exactly as I saw them from one perfect reference photo. I’m trying to bring in more loose areas that show off the medium of watercolor and give the eye area to rest. I’m working on using more artistic license. I may add more clouds or color to a solid blue sky to make a more interesting composition.

Two paintings of sunsets through trees at Beauty Mountain in a sketchbook with paints.My hand holding five black and grey Sakura markers used for value studies in front of a sketchbook. 
Left Image: Beauty Mountain Overlook Sunset sketches in two color combinations.
Right Image: My Sakura Koi Brush Pens I use for value studies. 

I printed and trimmed down larger reference photos then made multiple sketches of each scene to find the most compelling composition. Value sketches created using my Sakura Koi Brush Pens in four shades of grey and black make an excellent road map for how much paint and layers to put down. It helps to paint thumbnails with different limited palette colors. Sometimes the one I expect to like least is the one that actually looks the best.

Hopefully I can share the working stages of my first large painting from this series next month. I think I'm most pulled to the Bridge Buttress view or the Beauty Mountain tree-line sunset, both pictured above. 

Image compilation of snow paintings and winter sunsets for a January mood board.Sunset over snow covered hilltops in Morgantown, WV.
Left Image: January Mood Board
Right Image: Sunset from last week - you can see ice reflecting on the snowy hilltops. 

Winter Observations

While I work primarily in the studio during the winter months, I make note of some small beautiful things that inspire me. Consider what you can notice without much effort. I started compiling little mood boards each month that capture some of these observations juxtaposed with past paintings as a fun social media exercise.

Blue painting of snow covered trees at Timberline Mountain, WV. Photo of snow covered trees through afternoon sun at Timberline Mountain, WV.
Left Image: Timberline Mountain, WV Painting
Right Image: Original reference photo from February 2017.

Print of the Month: Timberline Mountain, WV

I want to share a bit more of the story behind my earlier works as I work towards creating new ones. The Timberline Mountain print will be 20% off now through March 15.

I painted the original version of this print back in February 2018. The reference photo was taken at the top of Salamander trail. The trees at the top have a constant snow covering from the snow blowers at the top.

This painting is my most monochromatic work. I wanted to capture the feeling of the cold, crisp, brightness of a bluebird day. 

Thoughts on Winter Paintings

As someone who enjoys skiing and likes snow - I love a winter landscape. I love the shadows, the muted colors, the sparkles that come with snow. However, historically people across cultures prefer a painting of a warmer season. I'm curious about the psychology behind this—whether warm tones work better in a home, or if people prefer just not to think about winter in general. Do people only want to associate snow with the lights/warmth surrounding the holiday season? Surviving winter now, with all of our modern conveniences, is a much easier time than it would have been 100 years ago. I'm sure that has led somewhat to my appreciation for the season. 

Regardless of their popularity, I'm sure I will make more winter paintings in the future. This print will be retired at the end of this year to make way for new works.

Sharing some interesting reading regarding the history/art history of winter paintings:


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