Grand Canyon in pastel

I'm getting ready to paint in Zion and need to ensure I pack just the right pastels, so I am painting from some 2014 reference photos.

 

Using a recycled 9 x 12 piece of Uart sanded pastel paper I draw in the major shapes with charcoal.

Using a recycled 9 x 12 piece of Uart sanded pastel paper I draw in the major shapes with charcoal.

Blocking in the major shapes.

Blocking in the major shapes.

Breaking the large shapes adding highlights.

Breaking the large shapes adding highlights.

I hope this image allows you to feel the heat pulsing off the rock cliffs as well as the cool green river - incredible drifting silence.

I hope this image allows you to feel the heat pulsing off the rock cliffs as well as the cool green river - incredible drifting silence.