Share some sketches , work in progress . Here’s a painting a completed in about 10 days , and behind a work in progress

This is 1 of the 7 paintings I am currently working on . Dimensions 36 x 48 in . Acrylic , gold leaf and oil paint. Title “ Field of Dreams”. In this body of work I am using old family photographs , this one is of my father working the fields in Mexico before leaving it all behind to come to the United States to chase the American Dream . I added the monarch butterfly which also make a great migrating from mexico to the US . What artworks or series are you working on ? Any themes or techniques you want to share ?

I'm planning to recreate this using a limited palette of primaries much like the Zorn palette. I have titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, and primary yellow. I'll simplify it in a way that the painting will only capture the big shapes, values and color. Since I'm a beginner, I created color mixing instructions for myself: Light skin tone - Titanium White + Cadmium Red + a touch of Primary Yellow; skin in shadow - Cadmium Red + Ivory Black; muted greens (olive) - Primary Yellow + Ivory Black; Warm tones (orange) - Cadmium Red + Primary Yellow; bluish tint (cool gray) - Ivory Black + Titanium White; desaturated violets - Cadmium Red + Ivory Black; Earth tones (warm neutrals) - All four colors in various small ratios. I know it's not going to look exactly the same. I'd be happy if I can get it somewhere close to a good read.

When I first started oil painting I would paint on a blank canvas with a sketch and then paint an inch at a time it was good for developing patience and color mixing but I found this method too restrictive for me and made me not want to finish the paintings . I wanted more expressive painterly brush strokes and a painting method that felt more like me . I had to learn other techniques and try different painting methods. What made all the difference was to use bigger brushes at the beginning and not be afraid of loosing any part of the painting because you can always bring it back . Parts of the painting are waiting to be discovered underneath all the chaos of the messy ugly stage . You need to mess around to find out ✨

Hello this group is new and I am new to this platform . Not sure what I should first show you all . I am an oil painter but I also used to paint in acrylic paint