This is part 2 of my working on a painting of Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. If you want to catch up with the previous post, look at that here: https://www.annakmcdermott.com/blog/MesaArchProgress
The way I painted this was to work as though it were a composite image. The arch is so large, that in person you have to stand back far enough to get the whole thing in frame- meaning you will not have the background also in focus. I wanted it to feel like it does when you are there- seeing this large arch and dramatic canyon beyond. I referenced several photos I took while hiking at the park to do this. This means none of this is quite as accurate as my usual landscapes (coming from one point of view) where they are based off of one photo, but I do think the end result is what I wanted and I am happy with it!
Here, the finished painting.
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands NP
8”x24”
acrylic on birch panel
