Sketch for Michael’s Boots

I have a commission to do — a big painting of work boots. I had to borrow these from a friend since I had none in my house that were exactly what I was looking for. And they have been hanging around in my front hall because I couldn’t really decide where I wanted to set them up to work on my sketch. It is amazing how light, even indoors, can enliven a composition. The boots were uninspiring until I placed them on my kitchen floor in the stripes of sunlight and shadow (disrupting my dog from her afternoon nap spot in the process). The drawing is a bit rough — I was more interested in capturing the light quickly — but I will spend more time on it when I get to the real paper. And I may change the composition slightly by removing the strip of cast shadow on the left that now seems distracting. The size of the final: 18″ x 22″.