Often when I get an idea, I see it many different ways...and I'm never sure which view is the right way to tell this particular story until I see it in front of me. Even then I've gotta' walk away and come back for a fresh look to see which one does it for me...

And this was the composition I liked. I begin working out all the details by drawing through things and consulting photographs when possible. I put alot of effort into this stage of the painting carefully making sure I've got things laid out right.

I make some last minute changes like loosing the tire in the lower left hand corner and replacing it with a comfy old bucket seat and adding wall signs, posters, trophies, plaques and other garage stuff. Taping this tracing paper rough to the back of a good sheet of paper, I begin the tedious job of inking it all in on my lightboard...This takes quite a while.

When I get all the inking done I begin the color work with the chrome and the tires (Man, I love steelies, baldies and trim rings with wide whites!)Then a basic floor color.

I begin washing in the first preliminary layers of cool tones in the garage...and fool around with the floor shading a bit more.

Hunger strikes after a day of this but I push on adding more and more detail to the garage...tools, decals, more old trophies and awards...this guy has a cool garage!

Time to paint the car now that we understand the lighting situation. I apply the first few preliminary washes of red allowing for the light reflected in from the opening garage door...Then modeling and highlights are added. I mask off my edges with strips of paper to get a glimpse of how the final piece will look and work out anything that's not quite right.

I finally add the license plate and the guy and- Honey...I'm Done.