Spring Trees by the Virgin River in Zion

Painting sun struck trees before a red rock canyon wall was a fun challenge...if at first I don't succeed, get out the 4" house painting brush, brush off all the pastel and try, try again!

 

watercolor under painting on 12 x 16 UART 400

watercolor under painting on 12 x 16 UART 400

Begin adding the dark value pastels

Begin adding the dark value pastels

blocking in the main shapes....not too happy with this.

blocking in the main shapes....not too happy with this.

Brush off the pastel  and start again.

Brush off the pastel  and start again.

I moved and enlarged some of the foreground shapes and blocked in more subtle colors and values in the rock wall

I moved and enlarged some of the foreground shapes and blocked in more subtle colors and values in the rock wall

Much better!  But I will live with it for a couple of days to see what else needs work.

Much better!  But I will live with it for a couple of days to see what else needs work.