OK enough with Antarctica and ice and snow and so much white and gray. I needed a new palette and decided fall colors in Colorado would definitely fit the bill. So i’ve begun a new painting. Reference photo is from a hike we took in Golden Canyon Gate Canyon State Park a few weeks ago. This is a gorgeous area at about 8-9,000 feet only about 1/2 hour from our home — wonderful hiking trails, views, etc. We were there late afternoon and when looking west the trees were backlit with sunlight — just beautiful. So i’m attaching the reference photo and my beginning efforts. I changed the composition so that the two large trees would not be so centered. That meant the large evergreen on the far right would have to go. Obviously this project is going to require quite a number of layers, which is why i need to wait till i finish working on some of the background to put in all the large branches. Below are attached the original photo; the edited photo and the start of the painting.
LJ and NJ 