Finished work · Seattle Prize
Forest on a Boat
Nov 2025 – Jan 2026
My first painting created at the Seattle Prize. It depicts a man tending to the forest he has grown on his boat. It’s about growth in motion. The ability improve and take care of what we value even when things don’t seem to remain static. I have yet to title this piece, and will likely come back and tweak it in the future, but it’s done for now. I hope you enjoy looking at the process!
10 posts and 21 photos from the studio, in the order Diego made them.
Follow the making ↓The process
From first sketch to finished painting.
First post · November 4, 2025
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks ideating, sketching out ideas and doing color studies. The first idea I’m tackling is the concept of protecting and tending to what you value. This idea is represented by a forest floating on a boat. What do you think about these color studies?
Stage 2 · November 11, 2025
Starting to work on the block-in for my first painting at the program. Nothing fancy yet, just big shapes.
Stage 3 · November 13, 2025
With the block in done, I can start working my way into some details. Now the real fun begins!
Stage 4 · November 18, 2025
Getting into the literal weeds. Trying to pull this painting off without a reference, we’ll see if I can actually do it!
Stage 5 · November 20, 2025
Today’s session was all about establishing some simple, flowing shapes in the water.
Stage 6 · November 25, 2025
In the pinkish lighting of a sunrise, I’ve found mixtures containing yellow ochre can be just right for vegetation.
Stage 7 · December 2, 2025
Be water, my friend.
Stage 8 · December 4, 2025
I like to take my time allowing complex textures to build over various sessions. If I do it right, the colors will make each other vibrate!
Stage 9 · January 8, 2026
With the backdrop practically done, now it’s time to have fun with all the little Easter eggs I usually pepper throughout my paintings. Birds not only give scale to the scenery, but also give life and movement to the overall painting.
Latest · January 21, 2026
Finally finished with my first painting for the program. At least for now. I will let it sit for a while and eventually come back to make some final tweaks. I’ll be sharing some close ups soon, so stay tuned!
