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ANSWER TO MYSTERY TECHNIQUE #154:

Using clear contact paper is my favorite masking technique — it makes it so much easier to paint something like this tree! First I drew the trunk and branches on the contact paper and cut out the shape; then I removed the backing and firmly pressed the sticky shape on watercolor paper. Next I painted a graded wash of blue for the sky. While this layer was still damp, I took a ratty brush loaded with yellow paint and used it to push away the blue and add irregular shapes for the first layer of leaves.

After this layer dried, I continued using the ratty brush to add medium green and then a few touches of darker green shapes, softening some of the edges with a damp brush or sponge.

Next I removed the contact paper and painted the trunk and branches and also added a little more dark green.

For the final step, I added more depth and definition with a 05 Micron black pen.