It started with this photo that I think I first saw on facebook. It reminded me of the times I so much enjoyed as a boy, climbing the indigenous Douglas Fir trees and resting my bones high in their branches.

Couple in a tree. This gave me an idea to build on. It reminded me how glorious it was to be high in the trees alone with the breeze and nature.

To capture the essence of it, I took photos on several occasions over the course of a few years. None of it got me the look and feel that I wanted.

Using a Cintiq tablet and software helps me develop the image I want to paint.

After discovering that cartoons could be managed from start to finish more cleanly and with better results, I thought I’d give it a try for the ‘more serious’ stuff.  Mostly, I use it when either a model is not available, or I can not wait.

It was handy in the development of this drawing of a girl on her way to the big time in her VW Bus. Fortunately this is just a presketch, because the styling of her dress  makes no sense at all. It looks more like a costume.

Rest Stop sketch. I must must MUST change the dress.

I was new.

In the case of the tree concept, I could find models and I’ve had plenty of time but just wasn’t making progress.

So now I have a clearer picture of what the final version may be like. This begins to evolve into what I was looking for.

Tree platform painting study