It was satisfying to put the leaves in today. I probably have one more session to add some light leaves that will lead the eye across the two diagonals. I also may rework the large oak leaves, bottom right, to break them apart.

Spent the entire day outside cleaning the yard, storing away the dahlias, raking, etc. It was glorius, in the 60's. Just before the sun disappeared I painted in the basic structure for the little bush's branches. Tonight I'm having dinner with a naturalist. I'm hoping he can identify my little bush.

Just worked a few minutes today on texture to create some depth of field.

It stopped raining today and the sun came out in the afternoon. That made for better working conditions in the studio. I also walked to the spot in the woods where my little bush grows. I first thought it was an euonymous, then a sassafras. Now, I don't know. I took a small branch to ask about it. On the painting, I worked the middle and near grounds, adding some texture that will lay a foundation for details.

I'd forgotten how absolutely lovely it is to paint on board. The brush glides and the paint melds with glee.

The weather is dark and dreary making it difficult to see in the studio. On dark days I rely on bad lighting. I must rectify that. Today's work was spent layering in color in the ground areas. My objective is the illusion of deep woods with atmospheric light and color. The focal point, a sassafras bush, will sit center and front. I'm guessing at this point what the values in the far ground should be. Once the bush goes in, I can adjust. It's just easier to work all over the ground than around the intricacies of the bush.

We had our first snow last night. It was minimal; little clumps of white ice here and there. The acanthas has been nipped at last.
The new painting. I washed in some basic values and colors, set up the horizon line. This particular green must go.