I kept my thumbnails small and created them in Procreate so that I could keep track of the values, along with the process. During the first stage using 4, 6 and 8 values I noticed how there were more shapes around the old lady, then associated it with representing the complicated, checkered past, contained within the framed door. In contrast to the the boys simple light structure of purity and newness. He pulls a heavy mass effortless accepting the challenge without fear of what he was doing or how he looks. These thoughts helped in the second stage using vales 9, 7 and 5. I restrained them more keeping the ground uncomplicated not to distract with the boy and the old lady.

I used markers and started with washing everything with a 4. Then I chipped away at the shadows as i saw them. I tend to stay in a high key when I draw so this was a good exercise.

This was a fun exercise! I need to work on not trying to get details in straightaway. I had to go back a few times to reign myself in and be more broad.

Should I learn digital? That would save me so much time to correct anything. I attach this as it is. I'm not correcting it. (by saying that I fail, cause the point was to simplify, I can't unsee the details)

I’ve tried to push highlights to drag attention to the guy In the original idea, I wanted highlights on horses and lady to be kinda arrows that pointed toward him but not sure if I’ve accomplished it well enough) Most of the canvas is covered in values above 5 and high lights are 4 and 3 according to the scale Also a question!) At some point I've decided that leaving sketchy legs on horses - is a good idea, so eye would only be carried towards the subject.. how wrong was I? And have you noticed it straight away?👀 Edit: the difference in styles started bothering me [even though it's a thumbnail] and I went back in, but tried to keep contrast down - so there wouldn't be much reason to look that way anyway + killed contrast on the closest horse

First I chose swatches between 4-9 to limit myself and then wanted to find a simple version, but it became more detailed than I thought.

I want to do more… great exercise!

This was not easy. I found it difficult to stay in the midtones and shadows range. I kept wanting to use white! This was painted quickly and roughly with acrylics on paper. I loved painting the woman in the doorway - such an interesting character.

Hand drawn, then digitally darkened it to try to see if I could push the darkness.

When I think darker range, I think charcoal.

I skipped gradients…(a trigger for me to get rendering)… kept thumbnail simple😁