I've decided to amp up the tree trunks a bit by giving them more texture and shading. I played up on the highlights and then "chuen" with a dry brush to give the tree bark more definition. Again, going back to the 4 steps in brushwork, Gou, Chuen, Ts'a, R'an, each working with complete accord with the others, the result can be quite satisfying.
Here is the finished painting, for now, anyways. I've been told to stop when the work is 70% finished, thus allowing room for improvement. I think I've gone too far already, in the zeal of completing something before the new year rolls in.
I had a draft of the image that I wanted to pursue. In that image, it was supposed to be a huge umbrella of a tree shadowing a tiny human figure to create the contrast and solitude. I was hoping for having the forceful lines to tell the story. Obviously I ran away from that premise. It seemed like the more I dwelt on the painting, the more baroque it became. Well, perhaps I should explore the simplicity of lines one of these days. New Year's Resolution number 2!
