Part 5—The Winning Sketch Begins to Take Shape

The winning thumbnail sketch is beginning to come to life!

This 6" x 9" sketch is the first time you can really start to see the vision I have for Barnyard Adventures. While it's still only a rough drawing, I'm adding more details with each step and beginning to picture the finished painting in my mind.

If you compare this sketch to the winning thumbnail from Part 4, you'll notice I've already made several changes. I reversed the placement of the main barn and horse barn, started adding the animals listed as words for now, and I'm even considering adding a tractor, One of the things I enjoy most about this stage is that nothing is set in stone yet. Every new sketch gives me the opportunity to improve the composition before I ever pick up a paintbrush.

The next step is gathering reference photographs and enlarging this drawing to a 12" x 18" sketch, where I'll begin adding even more detail. I intentionally work my way up in size because it's much easier to make changes on smaller sketches than on the final 24" x 36" painting. Even then, I usually continue making adjustments as the artwork develops!

One little detail you may have noticed is the yellow line marked HL. That's the Horizon Line, an important guide that helps me keep the perspective of the entire scene consistent.

Every step brings Barnyard Adventures a little closer to becoming the finished Search For 10 painting. I hope you'll join me for the next stage of the journey!