I allowed the underpainting to dry overnight, and began with the oils this morning. I started by blocking in the sky and clouds. Working wet into wet allows you to create soft blends and color transitions, but one must be very careful to avoid contaminating the white, which is very easy to do. If the clouds start tinting blue then all contrast between light and dark is lost and everything turns to “mush”.
The collector has requested that the piece invoke a bit more of a “foreboding” mood, so I’ve gone a bit darker on the clouds, along with adding a bit more turbulence and motion in the sky. I am also planning to rearrange the positioning of the figure in the foreground to impart a greater sense of height to the pillars. I will continue to communicate with the collector to make certain the painting delivers just what they are looking for in that regard.