Pagoda, Washington Monument, and Cherry Blossoms

I worked on this today.  I started adding the blossoms to map out their positions.  I worked the background trees, monument and I started the water but the water will need a rework, as I am not happy with the colors and the angles on the reflections.

Live Oak Sketch

This is the Friday night sketch done with wine and pencils.  Seems a proper way to finish the week.  A simple sketch with a dark leaded pencil and a paper stump to blend the graphite.

Cypress Pine Sunset study

This is a block-in of a study of Cypress Pine tree at sunset.  This is not my design, but I wanted the challenge of trying to paint the variegated color sky and then the foliage colors.   I initially painted the colors too thick which impedes the ability to go at it in one application of paint so this will require follow-ups.  A lot of paints aren't finished so much as they are abandoned.

Prickly Pear Cactus - Sepia Ink

Tonight is a little different as variety is the spice of life.  This is not an original design, but I did this little sketch in sepia ink of Prickly Pear cactus with blossoms.

Cascading Water study finished up

I finished this up over the weekend.  I changed some of the water detail and worked on the water over the rocks and improved the rocks.  One more small study in the march towards 10,000 hours of work to get closer to mastery.  Though the nice challenge of art is you never really get mastery you are always challenging yourself to get better

Delicate Arch Milky Way Nocturne - Part 3

I worked on the Delicate Arch today by adding the detail to the Arch and by darkening the sky.

Delicate Arch with Milky Way Nocturne

I worked on this some today.  I will need to darken the sky more before adding stars to the Milky way sky.  I added some red to the sand stone.  I will need to go back and refine the darks and details on the sandstone but I like it so far.