Preparing for a new painting

I don't know about you, but I tend to do a few sketches and notes for some of my paintings, particularly when it comes to a Canvas, be it oil or acrylic.  Sometimes it is just a case of being able to follow a photograph I've taken and not have to jot anything down on paper, but on other occasions it does take several attempts to throw the ideas around.

This is especially the case today as I am going to be doing an acrylic that only measures 12" x 12" (approx 35cm x 35cm) - being that it is small plus Square makes it all the more restrictive.

I have a photograph as it happens.....

as you see, this would naturally go on a Landscape shaped canvas, so this is where my notes and sketches will help a lot.

Firstly I did a coloured sketch using my Inktense pencils

1.   I want to make the most of a dramatic sky  - You will see that the photograph has a lovely clear blue sky, but that would be rather ordinary in this piece.

2.   Making the drama in the sky, means I need to move the horizon line down to below half way.

I have also done a pencil and some ink sketches - mainly to get the angle for the river (it needs to take the viewer into the painting).

 

I may even end up making the horizon even lower, but I'll almost have to judge that as I do the painting....which I will be starting very soon....and yes, there will be a blog post about it, regardless of how it turns out.