When dealing with living creatures the artist will have to have some references to help develop a painting. And of course a body of water with creatures moving thru it is challenging. Remember that the elements are not random. What I mean by this is that the ducks/goose is creating a pattern/movement in the water and it is intersecting other elements, wind, reflection of greenery on the water, light and shadow. I alter my photos, in iphoto, to help myself understand what is going on and where. I then simplify the ideas as much as I can. The painting is not complete. My beginning drawing evolves and I may change my mind in the process of painting of what i want to keep and what I want to delete. I keep my colors and values high and exciting and eventually I will quiet them down for the cohesiveness of the painting.
The painting is not finished… will post at a later date.