Snow scene

I should have learnt by now... never outline with black ink. Never.

I have done it again! I think I knew it as soon as I started. Outlining a drawing with black ink is going to completely ruin it.
I came back from my monthly painting class in August, rather pleased with what I achieved that day. I had been doing gongbi, and I copied again a painting from Yu Jigao's album, this one entitled 'Egrets and lotus in autumn'.
Eager to have the finished picture, two days later, I sat at my desk and ... decided that the outlines of those lotus were a bit too faint. Why? I don't know. But here is the result. Judge by yourself!
I was rather annoyed because 1) I spent quite a few hours on it, 2) I liked the choice of colours and thought it blended nicely with the initial wash I did on the paper and 3) despite fearing a disaster while doing the birds, those were not too bad in the end.
But this time I didn't get discouraged, and a few days ago, I started it again. On a much bigger sheet of paper as well. Why? well, this is a mystery as I usually don't feel 'safe' on big sheets. Wait and see!