progress for today

Well, Sam went back to school today after missing two days due to Strep and now Max is out with it today. Thankfully, we were able to get a doctor's appt. early and start antibiotics this morning so he'll be able to return tomorrow. Sam was much sicker than Max... barely got out of bed for two days. Max is all mad at me because I won't let him to skateboard! Can't tell he's sick at all except for a sore throat.

Anyway, I had to get a sub for my classes this morning and am looking at today as a blessing because I got to be home almost all day. I've been working on my painting. Got all the stone foundations done by about 1:15. After getting Sam at school and running him to the orthodontist to pick up his retainer, I came home and immediately started painting. I'm jumping around a bit painting because it's hard on your back so I need to change positions often. I'm getting the base colors down for the stones and started some shading just to give me an idea of where it's going. This stage is so hard for me... that "staying in the process" because... well, it's not pretty... it's work, it is slow, and it takes a while for all the pieces to come together. I see it in my head though. It will get there. It will not be perfect but I believe it will tell the story that needs to be told. Here's where I'm at:

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Golden's texture mediums? The extra coarse pumice is to die for! Great rock texture. But, it's difficult to spread. I found it to work really well combined with molding paste. Lay the MP down first and go back on top of it with pumice. As much as I love the look created with the pumice, it would have been difficult to do the word carvings if I had made every stone with the pumice, hence, the variety of textures to create a variety of stones.