TREETRUNK MUSINGS IN PICS AND PASTEL

Sorry people, who have already commented to my next pre-fab posts - I will re-post them at a later time!

Painting does take some organization. Some days  I do better than others. Fortunately one cannot see it on the end result - my paintings!

Today I did well. I took enough pics. This close up of my paintings site (next to Sentinel Bridge at Yosemite National Park) -all the details -the bend in the path, the reflections of the leaves on the path, the background, with the blue SKY HOLES as we call them among paintersfor Midweek Blues, hosted by Rebecca   (scroll down to  end of post for all three memes this week!)
and photo of my whole painting site  where you can also see the river for Watery Wednesday, hosted by 2sweetnsaxy( below), and  the Tree reflections in the sand for Weekend Reflections, hosted by James . Thank you all three!

http//newtowndailyphoto.blogspot.com - click here

 This is the the whole view of my painting site that day.
 In front on the right, you see my palette with brushes

But not all days, I have my ducks in a row, like this! The pic below was taken  during a hike in the Big Bear mountains. When I came home I saw that this was a perfect shot for a painting. Alas, I took only one pic. 
On my next hike there, I couldn't find it anywhere. The first time I saw this tree it was half cut off, so may be they took it out completely.  I just had started working with pastel and with a plein air painting (in any medium) I like to at least start with the outdoor scene in front of me.

Then for some years the pic got "lost" in one of my sketchbooks.  When I finally found it, it struck me again how much this  scene depicted Fall so well. I thought I'd give it a try.

The second hurdle appeared  digitizing the photo and printing it on my small printer, next to the computer...

The colors of the print were off and some parts even too dark to make out any details. 
I didn't want to give up yet, so I asked hubby to make a print on our large professional printer for large glicee prints, etc.
Wow, much better -now I could see the details of this photo!

Yet, in my first painting session I wished I was not able to see any details!!! 
Those tangled branches and twigs took much time.
Felt a little like when you learn to read,  you put your finger underneath the word, so you won't lose your place:)
Kitty Wallis paper feels like sandpaper, which means that it is able to hold many layers of pastel.

I feel like I'm getting a grip on it  -phew what a relief. It's shaping up now. Still need to do the upper and left part...
Am saving the brightest colors for last, so I have a minimum chance of smudges on the very dark and very light colors.
Some feel that the first impression of my pastel work is that one of a photo. But when you come closer that impression soon fades. My work is too blurry to fit the description of "photographic."

Tree trunk in Fall, 15 x 11 1/2, Pastel, St Germain 

on Kitty Wallis Paper

 This weathered and cut off tree trunk has been an image  that has been  in my mind for a long time. I got even fonder of this scene as the painting was progressing. So jazzed that after a few years  I reach  the finish line of displaying the tree in pastel.

Very much like with people. The longer you know them, the more the imperfections seem to fade. The folds, warts and "cut off" state all add character!

Another unfinished project done!              What unfinished projects do you have?