Now it’s time to start working on the background. I began painting the wooden table with soft washes and used the separate planks of wood to help me navigate the area. I used some black artist tape to create my horizon line and allow me to paint the washes quickly.

Next I added in the grains of the wood. I alternated between washes of color and details of the grain back and forth several times.

Next I carefully painted in the shadow. Saving the abstract highlights was important, as the sunlight traveled through the glass and created bright highlights on the table.

Several layers later, the shadow is down and I’ve darken the wood with more light washes of transparent watercolor. The painting is now ready for the final background

To be continued…