Erin’s world travels canvas has been completed. The full process after the jump, beginning with the photos used to inspire the picture.

The Great Wall of China, which is used to stitch together the composition.

Machu Picchu, which now dominates the lower right quadrant of the canvas.

From Macau, a Lotus Flower which has become the second most prominent object in the foreground.

Peruvian rock formations with some friendly sea otters, one of which is now the closest thing to the surface of the picture plane.

A Chinese Lantern, which has been repeated across the top of the picture.

The Summer Palace in Beijing, which I found fascinating and therefore placed prominently.

Starting with the meridians.

Time to show Machu Picchu some love, you big beautiful mountain formation.

Rounding out the fundamental composition.

Mr. Sharpie, create contrast.

Machu Picchu is hard enough to draw, making it must have been quite a challenge.

Almost time for the red wash. Naturally, these pictures were taken in low light, and as a result, are poor to very poor in quality.

Here comes the color.

It’s Christmas underneath many of my canvases.

Sometimes I wish Lionore from the Thundercats would say, “Primary Colors, HO!”

The greens are here.

Here is comes… wait for it.

Ladies, you will be able to see this canvas in person during your initial intake. Here is where the painting ended after the first round.

Back to the action. At this point, I decided on alternating between adding color and redefining details with my trusted Sharpie. This stage focused on anchoring the central focal point of the canvas.

Chinese lanterns need love too.

I began this third layer with the darkest green tone in the canvas, and used this foundation color to mix each lighter shade.

With the greens in place, the picture is finally starting to make more sense. One of the most confusing aspects was the bottom of the picture, which I decided at this juncture should be water.

Here is where the canvas ended after an intensive day in the studio. The composition is becoming more resolved, but still requires work. Stand by for, hopefully, the final process post in the near future.

On to the final push, time to get serious with the darkest darks.

Creating the darks from the same original color mix, to keep the tones in check.

75% chance of pleasant purple clouds, with an equal chance of candy gumdrop rain.

Bringing the swirling waters to the foreground, with a small distribution of the similar tones throughout.

Adding the warm lights in the foreground.

Wrapping up the final pieces, deciding upon the final marks.

Nearly final.

Signed, sealed and delivered. This was a fun painting, quite different from anything I have done before (or it feels like this, anyway.) As soon as this is hanging in Erin’s new office, I will be sure to share a picture.