Final Phase, Bringing it all Together!

Work in Progress, Acrylic on Gessobord, 4" x 4"

#12

I worked on darkening the edge of the large rock, adding the holes, giving them depth. I also needed to pay attention to the rocks on the right side, give them some detail without making them too important. I added shadow areas throughout the holes and rocks.

#13

I further refined the dark forest, adding tree trunks and branches, touching up the sky holes, bringing some trees forward, moving some back. I also added some cliffs on the far right side. Here is a closer view of the rocks in the foreground.

#14

More branches were added here as well as some leaves. I also worked the roots on the upper rock on the right.

#15

The front edge of the large rock has been further defined with the under shadowing and carried over where it meets with the other rocks. I like the shape and curve of this opening. All the details have been added and it's just a matter of looking to see what else needs a bit of tweaking.

#16

In one of my photos of the area, I noticed a seagull. I really didn't see it at first, except when I was trying to see some other detail under magnification, there it was. I thought it would be a great addition. However, the seagull was not easy to paint! At first I just couldn't get it to look real, I did not want the cliché of a "bird". I realized my difficulty was the surface, it wasn't smooth, there was too much drag on the brush. So after letting the area dry, I added a thin layer of soft gel medium diluted with water, like an isolation coat, and let it sit overnight. The next day I was able to work the bird much easier, the brush moved freely on the surface. I was able to create the shape of a bird with some light and dark areas suggesting the body and wings. Whew! it was so tiny to paint! All I have to do now, is put the isolation coat on, and then after it dries, varnish and frame it. Oh, and yes, the fun part...a title!

#17

Above is the final work in the frame I have chosen to put it in. I am pleased with the outcome. I really like the way the seagull breaks up the darkness of the forest and pulls the eye through the work. What struck me was the serenity of this place. There were so many ways for the senses to be stimulated, the feel and look of the different textures of the rocks, the contrast of the dark forest and the overcast sky. Not seen in this painting, but can be imagined, is the water of the sound on the left, the sand and pebbles and tidal pools below. It was chilly, but the air was fresh. I can't wait to go back!!

I'll be posting the final image on my website and here as well when it gets scanned and I give it a title! This work was done for the Miniature Masterpieces and More exhibit coming up at Kaewyn Gallery's holiday show. I'll be talking about that in the near future, so stay in touch.

Thanks for looking and reading about my process. I have done this for myself as well as anyone else who is interested. I think it will be good to have as a history, not only of how I worked at this point in time, but what I thought about it. I do want to make it clear that this wasn't posted in real time. I took a photo every day before I started working. Then I took the best photos in their order and posted the work a few at a time. I take a long time on each work, too long! If I posted them in real time, it would take forever between posts. Therefore I chose to do it this way. I wish I were faster, but I'm not and that's the way it is. Besides, it's the journey that's important! Now, next, graphite on film.