Winter Tree Collage - My Sister's Christmas Present!

 I love the skyline when I'm driving home at night - royal blue sky with black silhouettes of trees.
My sister asked for some original art for Christmas and her favorite color is blue - opportunity!

Plan a composition on tracing paper. Use drafting tape to affix layout to a heavier paper.
I started with blue paper but changed my mind partway through . . . ah . . . hence the importance
of planning that composition. I cut it all out with an X-Acto knife.

Next I made a watercolor wash to simulate the rich blue evening sky.

I used some black acrylic paint and a coarse brush (for texture) and painted the whole thing black.
I don't really recommend this because the skinnier branches can rip when they get soggy.

Align the cutout over the background . . .

. . . and trim to fit into your frame.

Done!

(Don't forget to clean the glass in your frame.)