Mian Situ was my "master". We painted from books that were purchased from Mian's wife, who is a very wonderful and interesting woman. As you can imagine, if you are painting from a book, the color is probably nothing like the real thing. I found that the composition was intriguing, and the boys portrayed beautifully.

I must say that I learned a great deal from recreating a version of this great painting.

Painting in "Maynard Dixon Country" (Zion National Park) is a challenge and a wonderful experience. The challenge is to put up with the heat, wind and dry air, to capture the light. The contrast of values is extreme and yet the shapes are clear and simple. The cloud shapes are big and simple, and yet there is large variety of color within each cloud shape. The same is true for a sunlit bluff face or one that is in shadow. The only way to really capture the essence of this country is to be patient and observe. The color and values are not what your preconceptions have led you to believe. The rich color in the shadows is the elusive prey to capture.

As the sun was setting we drove from Santa Ysabel down the road to Warner Springs Ranch. San Diego's mountains are beautiful this time of year. The contrast between the golden color fields and the afternoon light on the sage covered mountains is inspiring. I want to paint more.