I painted the picture, Serenity in the Keys, with a very limited palette because I wanted harmony.  I used seven hues, the warm and cool hues of the basic colors (red, yellow, and blue) and Titanium white.

I began by making a detailed full size color pencil depiction of the painting and was pleased with what I saw. Although the drawing had details in it in ways the full painting did not, such as footprints in the sand as well as small pebbles and a few rocks. There were also fallen dead palm leaves around the base of some of the palms.

The painting decided to become boss when I tried placing the more detailed work into it. The feeling, the serenity of the painting seemed to demand an unspoiled, smooth and pristine look about it. So, I realized that the painting had taken over. I decided to paint it the way it demanded.

It drives you crazy, but sometimes your artwork is the boss, and you come out ahead if you listen to it.