I have my initial sketch laid down on the canvas and will begin to layer the base coats over the sea foam green foundation that I completed today. It's funny how two hours looks like nothing at all at a painting's inception. But as soon as the colors begin and the shadows, detail, etc. not only does time go rather quickly but your piece also begins to look like something, a worthy use of your time.
I'm a little concerned about how to go about getting the sky right before beginning the petrified tree in the foreground...that's going to be a bit of a challenge.
So below is the initial sketch. I got the concept from a photo on morguefile.com. It's a great, free reference site for creative types to get ideas for work. God bless the folks who donate images to get our motors running and compositions to work from. It's highly appreciated and greatly needed. Because most photographers, also artists, sell their photos for income. And since I'm a studio artist and not a plein air painter, I cannot just go outside and paint whatever I see and do it justice. I really need to hash it out in my head and on paper before being confident enough to begin. Maybe I can be a plein air painter in my next life.
I hope that you all had a very productive day. I'm planning to have this painting at least a third of the way done by Friday. Wish me luck!
As always, thank you for plugging along with me!
My green background didn't show up because of the flash. Will take more photos tomorrow.
I've already started to put scribbles in that I will paint over, but at this point, I'm attempting to get a feel for the movement of the grasses, which way they are blowing or leaning, before trying to paint them. I'll have more for you to see soon!