Because of the vertical size of the painting I have to use a rubber band to hold the painting to the table top easel I use and the reason it’s needed is I tilt the painting forward at the top to allow excess pastel dust to fall off the surface in a way as not to leave tailings on the painted surface, innovative no, practical yes. You have to do something like this when painting a pastel painting.

I got so wrapped up in what I wanted to see that I started to paint toward the bottom near the river. I don’t like doing this but my point of interest led the way on this painting. I started layering the furthest point of the rivers edge. You can see an orangey value I introduced into the sky area. I will over paint or layer it into the sky when I get that far. I have it there because I like the contrast and I’m thinking of what the end result might give me. Pastels, as any other media reflect color from the first colors put on the canvas and up until the last colors put on canvas. Remember however, the last colors you put on the canvas are the ones most observers are going to see.

Note here how I’ve off set the right and left river banks which will create perspective when the painting is finished.