On Your Mark, Get Set, Paint

I just finished sealing the drawing on the board for my newest painting, Stunning Liberty Cap, and after it dries I will begin the painting process.  I have worked out my color scheme and am in the process of mixing the initial colors for the sky.  I always start with a detailed drawing, and then I begin placing in a wash for the sky.  I will not start making it opaque until after the sky is all blocked in.  The drawing really helps when I start blocking in all the colors for each area of the middle-ground and foreground.  Lastly, I will add the outlining of the various layers in order to get the depth that I am looking for in the painting.  Check back to see the progress, as time permits.