Highwood Creek in Autumn

I thought I would show you a little "start to finish". I often like to begin with a used canvas that I have painted over. (Quite a few of them just don't make it the first time around.) With that, you can get some interesting textures and patterns that serve as a lay in. I usually choose something that compliments the final painting tone. That seems to add a little interest for me and keeps me from getting as tight - hopefully. You can see that I changed the foreground in the final painting. The earlier direction seemed too busy. Give me some more time and I'll change it again! This painting is 11x14.