Finish

I adjust the values, and add finishing details. The foreground is further enriched with color and texture. My main concern is to establish subtle changes in value and hue to create the spatial dimension relative to each of the subjects in the picture.

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Foreground

I pull the foreground forward with a unifying wash, and add texture, being careful not to let the foreground upstage the bird. I add shadow to the branch and crabapple stems.

Color

In the foreground, I add texture, color, darker accents and foliage. Using the brush I draw additional details on the bird, and increase color tones on the crabapple branch. I'm working all over the picture at once, so I can see how things are shaping up relative to one another.

Background

I wasn't sure that I wanted a background wash initially. Adding it during the wet-in-wet stage would have been easier. However, it's not too late to put it in. I wait until the paint is completely dry, then moisten the paper and apply the color. The wash gives depth to the painting, and soft contrast to the main elements.

Underpainting

Working from light to dark, I begin adding color. I want to see what the color balance looks like.

Wash

I decide on the placement of the chicken in the middle ground, and the crabapples in the foreground. I sketch lightly with a soft pencil. Then I paint a very pale wash of yellow ocher over the sketch.

Thumbnails

I'm working out my composition and values. These sketches are about 1.5" x 2.5" each. I'm interested in seeing how the tones look in various places. Do I want the bird darker in the foreground? Or do I want the bird in the middle ground? What's most important - the bird, the crabapples or the foreground? Where do I want my light effect? How much negative space do I want relative to the subject?