@Charlie-Eve-Ryan Really love this idea of the balloon being made out of all the letters - and in your style this is going to look so charming!
Playing with the composition, text, and added sleigh bells to his basket....blocking in major shapes, more details to come.
@Charlie-Eve-Ryan That is a terrific idea. Knowing your work this will be an great looking piece. I can't wait to see the finished product.
very nice! love the texture
This is so sweet love how you overlapped the image over on the left. Can't wait to see the end result.
@Rich-Green Thanks so much, Rich.
@Rob-Smith
Thank you 
@Naroth-Kean
Thanks Norath, I love playing with textures.
@Stephanie-Hider
Thank you, I look forward to finishing it:D
love the concept! Not so keen on the composition. If you notice, all your important elements are at the bottom of the page. The balloon is hard to make out as well. Consider a change like this example which uses the page better...
Hey @Lee-White, thanks for the awesome feedback. I think you are right about having too many important elements in the bottom half and I will try to clarify the balloon and make it look more attached to the basket.
I am a little worried about not showing enough of the balloon, I think it adds charm to the overall concept.
I did some quick compositions below to see if I can work that in a bit.
The top pic shows the balloon three times and I'll will still add snow fall all over.
The bottom pic shows Mrs. Clause by the fire stitching the letters from Santa onto the balloon.
I may be overthinking it and making it too crowded. Any thoughts?
Happy Creating
www.charlieeveryan.com
@Charlie-Eve-Ryan I think you are right about the importance of seeing the balloon! I like what Lee did and the compromises you came up with! I like both of them but the second one gives us more of a story. It's going to be awesome I can't wait to see it finished!! I think it would make a great Christmas card!!
@Charlie-Eve-Ryan What if you changed the viewing angle of Santa and the balloon slightly so there is more of a foreshortened look, ie the balloon is farther away from the camera than Santa therefor allowing the viewer to see more of the balloon. I like the bottom image you came up with as well. Just some thoughts.
Thanks @Thrace-Shirley-Mears and @Rob-Smith
@Rob-Smith: I'll definitely play with the angle too and see how it reads!
@Thrace-Shirley-Mears My parents would love the xmas card. Thx
Like the textures in your style.
@Chris-Perry Hey thanks
I've been trying different compositions, but I still think I like the Mrs. Clause and Balloon one the best so I may start painting it and see where it goes.
Good luck. You are off to a great start.
Here is my final piece submitted this am.
Happy Creating
www.charlieeveryan.com
@Charlie-Eve-Ryan I really like this! You got the layout done well and the texture and color scheme is really wonderful!
@Charlie-Eve-Ryan - I really like the way you did the layout and included both the making of the balloon and then Santa using it to make his deliveries. It's wonderful!
@bharris and @rich-green Thanks so much, it was a fun one to work on. I went thru quite a few layouts before I landed back on this one because I felt it added more to the story overall.
I have really enjoyed all of the work this month from everyone but this is my favorite piece. It reminds me of my mother I think, so that is probably why. Love your style!
love the concept! Not so keen on the composition. If you notice, all your important elements are at the bottom of the page. The balloon is hard to make out as well. Consider a change like this example which uses the page better...
