Multi-tasking And Multi-painting

I'm definitely a type A.  I make lists and try to get in as much as possible during the day.  So, no surprise, I'm working on three paintings this week.  I've actually never done this before, but I have a custom house portrait to finish

plus I'm trying out two different kinds of paper.  I always use Stonehenge, but lately I've had a hankering to try some sanded pastel papers.  So the first one I bought was Ampersand pastel paper which comes in several colors but I bought white.

This is 11" x 14".  The paper is adhered to a hard board and my plan is to use fixative and varnish when I'm done.  I can then pop it into a frame without glass.  I also ordered Uart pastel paper 800 which comes in a tan color.

Love this paper, but it eats up pencils like crazy!  I've already gone to Dick Blick to buy pencils twice this week!  I also plan to use fixative & varnish on this one.  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Custom House Portrait

I'm working on a lovely custom house portrait for a client that came in to Wood Icing Gallery a couple of weeks ago.  She gave me several close-up photos of her parent's home, a big sprawling white house in New York.  It's challenging, because there are so many angles and roof lines!  A perspective nightmare.  We talked at length about what she wants and her main objective is to include the Christmas decorations in the front yard.  I prefer drawing a house at an angle, which is usually more interesting, but this meant a straight-on view.  I sent her my initial sketch for approval and then forged ahead.  It's a white house and she wants snow, so I decided to put in a clear blue sky for a pop of color.  I'm aiming for a cold snowy day, not too sunny, but enough shadows to show off the drama of the house.  Here's my project so far:

This is my initial sketch, done from several reference photos.  I drew this on tracing paper, then transferred it to an 11" X 14" sheet of Stonehenge archival paper, using Saral transfer paper.

At this point, I'm about 1/3 done.  I got her approval and now I'm finishing the piece, which I'll post next time.