I still have not worked out the full composition for this commission, so I am doing a 1/4 scale trial run! I used watercolor pencil and a projector to put the mountains and yuccas in, then masqued over the yuccas to protect them while I throw colors at the background.

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

One more test of the cactus, before I move on to a 1/4 scale test of the composition of the whole painting.

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

Experimenting with Claret Cup Cacti in Watercolor

These cacti love to cling to rock outcroppings.

I'm experimenting with them for placement in the lower right hand corner of my commission.

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

Texas painting commission sketch

Here is my first GOOD sketch for the commission. I ruined the first three trying to put the Grand Canyon in the background. I now have much more respect for people who paint the Grand Canyon!

The roadway is too dark but I like the curve to it. I may just make it a curve where rockiness ends and bushiness begins, instead of a road.

The cactus was out of my head, as I had no photos but I have been out taking some photos of rocks and cacti for the next sketch.

The next one should also be the correct painting size proportions.

There was a tiny sunset in back of the yuccas and I have played it up to pick up the cactus flower color.

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art