I decided the man at the top of the stairs will work if I darken his
clothing a little, so I am adjusting this. Today I have worked in
various areas of the painting. I worked on the tarp above the
vegetables, added a shadow area under the tarps. This really added a
new dimension to the painting and made it more interesting. I added the
rope hanging from the front edge of the tarp. This also helped to place
the tarp into proper prospective. I also added more details to the
lower steps, showing more of the cracks and shadows on their topside.

I decided to change the woman on the left at the top of the stairs.
After going through my reference photos I chose one of a man with a
strong light source. After painting out the woman and sketching in the
man, I am still not sure about the figure. The lighter color of his
clothing does not work as well in that area. Oh well, I won't think
about that tonight, there is always tomorrow.

I worked all day on the fruits and vegetables and the shadow side of
the building. Progress was slow because some of the items were so
small. At this stage there is still a lot of adjusting. Through
controling the different directions in which the figures face I created
strong tension within the dynamic of the figures on the steps. In this
way I created unity, which is hard to achieve in a large grouping of
people.

I am working on the figures at the very top of the steps today. There
are three figures on the left of the entrance together with the wares
they are selling. I am bringing these up to the same stage of
development.

I am developing the building now. Adding more darks and working out the
shapes of the tarps. My reference photo had several areas that have to
be changed. Here is my original photo. As you can see there are many
people and articles that cannot be used. I have selected from many
photographs that I took on this trip, a number of figures and items
that can be added that will combine to make a good composition.
Sometimes I have to try several before I find just the right
combination. It is a slow process and somedays it might seem that I
haven't accomplished a great deal. You might wonder when you see the
original photo, what I saw in it. I liked the power of the building
with the large entrance at the top of the stairs. I knew that if I
could design the painting with the right figures and objects that it
would make a dramatic scene.

I am starting to develop the area on the left side. I have drawn in the
vegetables and baskets on the landing of the steps. I am blocking it in
with thin washes of color. I added several figures along the top left,
and then decided they were too small. Didn't accomplish much as I
painted out more than I painted in! It is difficult to add figures to a
scene like this. You have to consider perspective, lighting and so much
more. Will make a fresh start on Monday.

This is a close up view of the area I am working on. I am continuing to
add and develop the figures on the steps. I can see how they will move
the viewers eye through the painting. I have included an older woman
and a young girl selling apples. I think they make a nice contrast in
size as well as age and they make a good interaction together. The
figures seem to be working well so far.

My current work in progress is a 40x30 peice. I am working from photographs taken on a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico 2 years ago. The scene is designed on different levels with a sprawling market winding it's way up the steps to an ancient marketplace in the village of Etla. The challenge will be to select and arrange from my many photographs, the figures needed to make the best compositon, and to present the viewer an authentic view of the vendors with their piles of fruit and vegetables and a stream of shoppers milling up and down the steps, occasionally stopping to inspect their wares or just stopping to visit. I have already completed a 20x16 study of this scene to work out some of the problems. Planning the picture was great fun. Now it will be a matter of juggling shapes, adjusting values of bright light and shadows and do all the things necessary to move the viewer's eye through the painting.
I don't always begin my painting in the same way. Each work has its own set of problems to be solved and the painting itself seems to tell me where to start. In this instance, I am beginning with the figures. When I get some of them placed, I can begin to judge values and decide what type of sky will best contribute to the painting. I am putting enough detail in each figure to be able to judge how it will work in the compostion. I will try to bring all of the painting up to this level and then go back and adjust values where necessary.