When I posted my finished drawing my commenters wanted the background to stay blank or add a blue sky with clouds. I decided to accommodate both choices. I put the blue sky and clouds inside the balloon and kept the background blank. Thank you all for your critiques and ideas, you all are part of this painting.

I always feel like I will never finish a big piece, the details can be overwhelming. However, I enjoyed each layer and struggling with my vision throughout this painting.

To avoid feeling overwhelmed I break my painting down into steps. I usually work with three layers, outline-color-shadow and detail. I first outline my idea on transfer paper. Transfer paper is tough and thin. I can erase as much as I want, if I erase on watercolor paper, this will scuff the surface, and my paint will not flow evenly. Once I finish my idea of the drawing I want to paint I transfer the image using graphite transfer paper to my watercolor paper. I don't transfer the details onto my watercolor just the outline. I fill in the detail when I start painting.

I usually paint using primary colors, blue, yellow, and red for my first layer of color. I then add colors to make secondary and tertiary colors. I like to layer with opaque watercolor paints called gouache, and I also use ink pens for outlining and detailing.

I will start my painting depending on how I feel, sometimes I do the background first, or pick a subject and work my way around the painting one subject at a time adding layers and details as I go. I add color and shadow to my second layer. Usually, around the third layer, I am adding details and more shadow to give my images depth.

Most of the time I know when I am done, I feel like I can't add any more, and sometimes I can't stand looking at the painting anymore...hahaha...That is when I know I have to finish up the work. But sometimes I have to work through the boredom and tedious feelings because I know I am not done. Developing discipline and patience happens when you draw or write no matter how you feel at the same time every day. I set a goal I want to hit every hour and through the day.

I have a routine I follow to help set up a good attitude for my painting and writing. I get up early around 6 am, drink some water, meditate and go through this routine that isn't set in cement, but I try and follow this when I have to write and paint. I feed the animals, clean up any messes in our house, fix some coffee, read the news. When I am done I sit down and start painting or writing, I get up every hour and stretch, have some water and get back to work, no excuses. At the end of the day I fix dinner starting around 3 pm, take a walk with my husband after the dinner mess is cleaned up, he does dishes and I relax, we watch and movie and are in bed by 10:30.