Step 1
All three of these sketches and paintings were done on location in Zion National Park. In this case I chose an intriguing rock formation above Temple of Sinawava and did a quick pencil study in my travel sketchbook. After making the sketch, I can either save it or paint it.
Step 2
Instead of looking for the big picture, I looked a little closer at the rock formations above me and found an interesting pattern of light and shadow on the rock face. I framed the small scene and did a location study on the spot in watercolor.
Step 3
By leaving out the foreground I could move the viewer quickly to my center of interest. This was painted on location as part of the “Zion National Park plein air invitational competition” in Zion National Park.