New Lake Como painting in progress

School's out this week due to snow, so my painting time is catch as catch can. Nevertheless, we have been conspiring with other desperate parents to arrange play dates here and there, which allows a little painting and blogging time. So I thought I'd share the Bellagio painting I have my easel this week. This is a promenade on the outskirts of bella Bellagio, leading to the stunning grounds of the Villa Melzi.  This view however, looks back towards the town. Apologies in advance for the poor quality photos and the cast shadow of part of my easel on the painting. I don't have a lot of time to photo edit anything but the final these days, so I hope you will bear with me. I start in the usual fashion, with a loose sketch of my composition in Burnt Sienna:

Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young
Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young

Next I lay in the shadow family and darkest notes.

Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young
Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young

At this point I'm laying in some general blocks of color. Still no highlights yet...

Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young
Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young

And here's my starting point this morning:

Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young
Lake Como painting demo by Jennifer Young

Next I will continue blocking in, including the water and distant village. I'm still working up the nerve to paint outside while there's snow on the ground, but we will see. Not much of a fan of the cold, but that snow sure is pretty.