Machu Picchu in the Clouds

Dawn clouds drift around Machu Picchu, leaving the stone terraces sharp in some places and soft in others. Green slopes rise behind the old walls, with a narrow path cutting through blocks of grass and weathered stone. Low mist sits in the valley below, so the ruins feel high and quiet without losing their shape.

Build the terraces first, since their stepped lines give the whole scene its structure. Darker stones around the houses make useful anchors before the green mountain pieces begin to repeat. Misty sections need a lighter touch near the end, but breaks in the clouds and the change from grass to stone keep the picture readable.