An illustration to accompany the quote, "A sword, a spade, and a thought should never be allowed to rust."
Below are the initial compositional sketch, final drawing on stretched paper and then a days painting at the bottom:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfGTvT7gwBRdFRG5ZKGos0CiiDP-MjS_9e-fUnXgu5U8agUC4vbmLfMEuMgytCYXnon36VjhNvMGQcCjr9rA4tlzIMuLCLsbAs-4gbLSh3KJjxeTeOLnLSE9hH2xDqeZFJgp8xW0ogOw/s320/progress2.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDKU-xck32ZIJ9ZQ5ZADr-aCdKa6MApzgDbg5UTxHW46_lU5KBpmb4dbCtbAHITYncesThs5PUP9_kFYOwgriRCS6hFw1T57Melkx2C0pUEddDCWyA9tpStrOQ9bQyrMkHpRveK7TYZk/s320/Progress.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNgqSE60XaCTyTkQw0X_a07is2X2OI99SrR-n4jN1Fqfvt5JUHOvx0BteZs2bYFAaTHvGqsu4uJCXSe7Iyx9rMWPPKc3aH0JoHFUWPJeAT-wxXuKvyCg5fu6eMFW1SC19qqqVW2acvAQ/s320/progress3.jpg)
The background is close to finished, but I might add a suggestion of golden light seeping through the mist. I'm wanting to make the crows, leaves and sword spade combo really punchy!