This blog is such a great tool for tracking progress on projects. When preparing for this post, I felt like I didn’t get anything done since the last week, but when I compare my last post, I feel like I’ve actually gone several steps forward. Huzzah! This week I added in some tree texture. I don’t want the treeline to stick out because the monuments are the focus, but I liked the idea of it having some texture, so I added in pine needles left over from our Christmas tree. I know what you’re wondering, and no, we don’t still have our Christmas tree up in February. But we do have a fireplace, so the branches are lingering around the house.
You can see the pine needles sprinkled throughout
This evening I was able to finish the trees with a nice dark green color. I don’t want to add any more attention to them, so they are done. Hurray! I also started adding in some twine to represent the ripples in the water. They’ll be covered with quite a bit of paint eventually, but I wanted some clear bumps.
Twine waves or green worms invading the Capitol?
Slowly but surely I’m getting there. I had hoped to finish this weekend (mainly to free up our guest room for a friend) but it looks like I might be painting for a few more weeks. Sigh. Anyone else just wish there were more hours in the day?
At least the Washington Monument is done!
By the way, I promise to stop using my camera phone and instead pick up an actual real camera. These are pitiful. I know.
Progress is looking good. It’s interesting to see the progression of a painting and it’s many layers. Good stuff.
So you worked actual pine needles into the paint? Cool. Is that so you can “scratch and sniff” it and feel like you’re actually there?
Yeah, you definitely made a ton of progress since last week and it’s starting to look great. I must admit that I was a bit hesitant to get behind the use of pine needles and the like in your painting. The idea felt a bit too crafty for my liking. However, once I realized that you were using those elements for primarily texture that you would paint over, it made much more sense and I am fully on board. Sorry for being a bit slow on the up-take.
I also like the detail done to the lower part of the capitol building. You did a nice job both mixing and contrasting the greens and oranges.