One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The above 20"x30" painting has been in progress for quite some time and is proving to be a serious challenge. I think it is one of those paintings where a step forward in my abilities could be made. The thing about taking a step forward is that sometimes it takes two steps back and it's those steps where the real learning takes place. This painting has been like that. One day, I'll work on it and feel that great progress has been made and other days, I'll paint for hours and leave thinking that the painting is worse than it was before I started. The hard part, for me, has been blending the numerous branches and the mist to create depth and realism. The image above is the painting in it's current state - now it's back to work.
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