12-21-05: Nature's Gateway.

I finished the painting today.  I had to do wipe out one of the goats and start over.  And I had to darken one of the goats that was in the shade.  I added shadows which definitely adds to the realistic look of the painting.

12-14-05: Nature's Gateway.

The painting is closer to being done.  Today I added texture to the bark on the old split tree and needles.  Some of the bark is hanging loose, and I need to highlight it more.  I'm not satisfied with the needles.  I put them on using the splaying out of the bristles on the brush technique, but it made the expanse of them too wide.  Tomorrow I'll try a different method.  I've also underpainted a couple of goats and an old woman with a cane.  I need to lighten the bushes that are further away, to give the appearance of distance.

12-09-05: Nature's Gateway.

I added more bushes, and the first layer of highlights.  I also added a small deciduous tree to the bottom right corner - the underpainting of the trunk, limbs and leaves.  The cool thing about painting today is that I learned how to daub on the leaves with the tip of the small script liner brush, daubing short little strokes, using the front and back of the tip of the brush making random strokes in the area I needed them, around and over the limbs.

12-07-05: Nature's Gateway.

I've been working on adding depth and color variations to the rocks.  I painted a twisted tree.  It still needs a lot of work - I've been adding more branches.  Today I underpainted evergreen trees and bushes.  They look to be juniper.  I plan to add an old Indian woman leading some goats along a trail.  But I have to add more bushes and such first.

12-3-05: Nature's Gateway.

I finished Peaceful Horizon several days ago....  After that, I let it sit for a while.  I look at it and see what it needs.  In the meantime I started another painting.  One of a desert rocky hillside of sandstone.  There will be a scraggly tree and some bushes, some kind of animal and maybe a person.  Not sure yet.  So far I've underpainted the hillside and began adding depth to the rocks.  I have to keep telling myself there is no hurry, that it's about enjoying learning how to do this.  It's fine if it takes a long time - like a month or three.  I'm trying things to see what accomplishes the effects I want.  Some of that, a person can learn from someone else.  Some of it I have to learn by doing.  That's what this one is about - learn by doing.