8 hour landscape

I'm working on landscapes right now, in order to improve my portrait backgrounds.  The goal is speed. This little 18x10" took me 8 hours. That may seem like a long time, but when you add up the hours spent on a portrait, it averages three times that amount. Colored Pencil is not for weaklings.

Closeup shot of Daylillies piece

Here is a closeup of the most recent changes.  I've added a blossom and darkened the background.

Daylillies continue

Beginning to take shape. With the lower left corner, edges and fine tuning still in front of me, I may have this done middle of next week.

Daylillies and Woodland path slowly coming along.

The background is particularly complicated. I need to allow for loose abstraction, while at the same time plot out where the light hits. Thus the "loose abstraction" is actually very carefully rendered.  Much to do!  My hand is fatigued.

Woodland Path, moving along.

Part of what I like about this piece , so far, is the feeling that I am still on my walk- that I have come upon these Day Lillies as they are revealed by splotches of light breaking through the trees. I hope the feeling continues as I fill in.  Sometimes the magic disappears and all I have in front of me is work, work, work.

Close up of beggining stages of Daylilly piece

Here's a closeup of my Daylillies along a woodland path painting.

Beginnings of Day Lillies

There is something hopeful  about wildflowers thriving along a woodland path. Here is a  photo of  the early stages of my  16x32"Daylillies piece.

Details details!

Wish I could start working on the dog in this painting today, but feeling pressure to get another commission under way. Time to set this painting aside and take a breather. No need to rush. But so difficult to stop!