"Daybreak on the Tongass"

Its been quite a long time since posting anything on our blog.  Been hanging out over at Facebook as its easier to communicate with family and friends.  Anyway about a year ago a co-worker approached me about doing a commission pastel drawing for another co-worker who was retiring after 20+ years working for the government.   For about 10 months or so I sort of sketched up a number of ideas, even tried to draw a family portrait of his parents, and mainly took photos of sunsets and sun rises of the area.  Here are few photos of the work in progress (WIP)...

 

"Daybreak on the Tongass"

11" x 17" [Final]

 

#5 - work in progress, adding highlights and more details

 

#4 - work in progress, adding more details

 

 #3 - work in progress, filling the sky

#2 - work in progress, laying in the ground

WIP#1 under drawing on pastel board

All in all it was a fun process to get through after being away from the drawing board for so long.  I decide it was best to stick with traditional dry approach versus doing a wet brush under coat.  The commissioned artwork was well received at the retirement ceremony by my co-worker.  Another co-worker presented a Haida carved paddle which was an amazing piece of artwork.