This is my preliminary sketch. From my notan study, I found the distinction between the darkest darks and the mid-darks and the lightest lights from the mid-lights.
My notan. I decided to underpaint with a red-violet since I wanted deep lights echoing in the woods.
At this point, I glanced at my palette and thought it looked pretty cool, so took a photo. Notice an overhead light and my painting reflecting? It's a glass palette.
"Early Morning Woods" Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"
