Step 1
“Natures Sculpture” 24 x 46 watercolor. Arches 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper. I first soak my paper in the bath tub, then stapled it to my backing board. When dry I carefully worked up my drawing using a light 4H pencil. I am using photos I shot during a hike up Taylor Creek Trail.
Step 2
After painting in the sky, as I usually do, I begin laying in broad washes of color across the cliffs, with no regard for detail or edges. I am using yellow ochre, along with Cad Red Light and Quinacridone Coral alowing the pigments to mingle naturally in the wet wash
Step 3
Once the first washes are dry, I move back into the cliff face and start delineating some of the form, shadows, and surface features of the rock. I rough in the foreground using very dark pigments again letting them mingle together to create a variety of colors and values.
Step 4
This close-up shows how I rough in the foreground rocks and shrubs. While drying, I splatter clear water into the washes using a flat brush and flicking it against my finger. The purpose is to create a natural texture through hard and soft edges, and warm and cool colors.
Step 5
After painting the silouettes of the Pinion and Juniper trees I go back to work on the cliffs, carefully identifying shadows and fissures in the rock face. This is fun, but time consuming. Since its actually a portrait of a cliff’s “face” I work hard to capture the features.
Step 6
I usually paint on a drawing board which is tiltable so I can control the flow of water. But as I move into the detail stages of a larger painting I am more comfortable placing the work on an easel and working vertically.
Step 7
Now I bring everything into sharp focus and complete the foreground trees. The finished painting is big and dramatic. I love the power and strength in the stone face. This is one of my favorite Zion paintings that I’ve done.
