When I look at a reference photo like the one above, the question I always ask myself is: where's Waldo?

Waldo, for an artist like me, is a good composition hidden in the randomness of nature. Even when I'm the one setting up the still life, I try not to interfere in the way pebbles fall into place. I just take many pictures while anticipating the game I will play later on my computer.

Waldo can be elusive at times. I have images taken years ago that never produced a single Waldo. But my ability to "see" is constantly evolving; I know there's a Waldo waiting to be found even in the most hopeless image.

Meet Waldo! I found him in the center of the image. Now that I have him, I want to show him off but, as you can see, he looks a little drab. Light and color will do magic.

Here's what he looks like in black and white.

Much better - Waldo is coming to life. I just lightened the top left quadrant and pushed the overall value contrast.

Now we're talking!

And here is my finished piece - in honor of Waldo of course!

Title: River Pebbles, No. 9

• Size: 5" x 5"
• Medium: Caran d'Ache Neocolor I and II, Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils (Verithin and Softcore), Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils, Faber-Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils, Derwent Coloursoft Colored Pencils
• Miscellaneous: Clay Shaper, Prismacolor Colorless Blender, Tortillions & Paper Stumps
• Surface: Art Spectrum Colourfix Supertooth Board
• Technique: Icarus Drawing Board
• Mounted on a 5" x 5" Ampersand Claybord (1/8" thick) and framed.
• To see how I mount and varnish my artwork, please refer to my post on Glassless Framing.

For techniques used in this artwork, please see blog post River Pebbles, No.3 - Melting Artist Crayons