background and seasons being placed in. : )

Time to get moving onto the final painting!! woot woot! Here is the pencil stage - size 16x20. Hard to see but it is looking like what I have in my head!

Playing with some fossil images for the background. Trying to keep it simple and subtle for the real deal, and also make sure the colors are earthy. I'm liking the contrast of this whispy textured look behind the graphic tree and geckos. Starting the actual final painting today!! : )

Playing with the tree and geckos! There will be 4 final geckos, each symbolizing one of the elements (earth, fire, wind, water) in each corner (original layout). Trying to get my gecko figured out! : )

Here are a couple layout designs for the project overall. Hope you can read my scribble! Working on finalizing this and playing with fossil textures. : ) Watercolors are perfect for this!!

 

This is a warm up for the main tree image in the center of the painting. I like the shape of the tree and the seasons changing. I played with different weather in background for seasons - not sure if I will use that or not, although I like the winter snowflakes quite a bit. : ) May be too much color & stuff for the final with everything else going on. tree will definitely need more contrast as well as leaves, etc. Fun exercise and I came away with a better understanding of what my creative mind wants for this project. : )

Here is a doodle of the tree image. It's depicting the 4 seasons so I was playing with the leaves and twirly branches. : ) I have the Love Never Fails quote in the trunk, but not sure we will use that. Just love that quote!
Next step is playing with geckos and fossil textures and watercolor tree! : )
I am so excited because my new watercolor block came yesterday!!! Yay!!!