Osprey Painting Step Two

I've done some more work on my big Osprey painting. Remember it is 18 x 25 so the osprey is about life-size! I put in my first layer on burgandy Art Spectrum paper using hard pastels. I blended the background colors with pipe insulation. It looks soft and blurry because it's my first layer. I will be refining the bird but leaving the background sand soft and out of focus. Next I will continue with my softer pastels. I might not get to this tomorrow since I am getting together with Jayne, Holly and Sherry to paint and I have another idea I want to start. Stay tuned!