Maquette Beginning

So, isn't this the most exciting photo you've ever seen in your life! :) Hey, it's in progress! Got a late start (guns on the sportsman channel) but I put in a little painting and started on a reference maquette for my next piece. I carved the beak out of pine and I'll be using some clay, a small frog and one giant beaver. Kidding! About the pine and clay of course :)

In progress.....still!

Another day going on 2 am. Couple of close up in progress pics for ya. This piece is taking me forever. I was struggling, running into so many obstacles but it's flowing smooth now and I'm very close to finishing up.

New Color Study

The left image is what I thought was a completed painting. After a critique from my friend, I took it into photoshop and experimented with it. The final will look more like the right image.

New Sketch & Adjustments

This is one of a couple small sketches I worked out a few days ago until 4-ish AM!?! I'm in the process of figuring out the final on canvas before the painting begins.
After some much needed critiquing from my friend, I'm planning on adjusting the panther piece. I'm working out the girl with the dragon and I just finished correcting some issues on my new piece on canvas, 24" X 36".I spent around 6 hours just on the drawing alone and several on sketching the idea with many more steps in the process before painting. Being an artist is time consuming. Being a Father to a new baby girl definitely is as well but it's an amazing experience. It's a challenge balancing both but a beautiful one at that. Does anyone else want 50 hours in a day instead of 24? :) Considering it's 2 am, I wouldn't mind having a few more.