Morning Ritual

I spent a little time beforehand sketching figures and doing a little value study since the morning clouds quickly break and the sun changes the scene dramatically. I sketched a lady walking her dog, and liked how it turned out so I added her to the scene. On her way back she came to peak at the painting and was very pleased to find herself in it! She's lived there for years and walks her dog nearly every day on that beach and is now moving away.