Winter scene

[Cyanide]

Yesterday I started playing with the palette knives in Painter because I've never really used a palette knife before. I ended up doing this. I think it turned out ok (for my amature self), but I think it's missing something compositionally. Any thoughts? Advice? Links to tutorials on composition?
http://www.gnomelan.com/Cyanide/Environments/winterTraveler1.jpg

[Mono]

those hill tops closest to the viewer is the same value as the ones off the distance. saturation level should drop as you go farther in space, and in this case, the distant hill tops should be closer in value and color to the colors found near the horizon line.

[Cyanide]

Better?

http://www.gnomelan.com/Cyanide/Environments/winterTraveler2.jpg

[dogfood]

If you were to tinge these his with a little tan, they would be sand dunes. I know there are a few patches of rock poking through up close, but they would be better supported with some large clearings on some distant peaks Where the snow can't remain glued to the mountain side.

And don't blur the distance; in very cold air, the visuals remain sharp for a very long way. Simply take out any hue which can not be seen from a distance (things tend to go bluer as they get farther away, or more purple, depending on the conditions) and in some cases, decrease the contrast between the very distant objects and the sky.

[Cyanide]

Thanks for the crits. :)

http://www.gnomelan.com/Cyanide/Environments/winterTraveler3.jpg