Let’s get on with it
Groundwork
![Hexagon pattern sketched out and started to paint the center piece](/_astro/series01_full.c53668c7_ZWLKgj.webp)
The base pattern of the whole painting is a honeycomb. I’ve sketched out the seven main hexagonal shapes with the help of some self-made paper templates and a pencil and filled them in with scenery that is meant to look like it’s being viewed through a fish-eye lens.
Blue Sky, Green Grass
![More hexagonal tiles got their background filled with blues and greens](/_astro/series02_full.f070c74b_NzuIC.webp)
Each hexgonal tile contains a different scene representing a time of day or year. In this step I filled in the pieces that contain blue or green, like the sky and grass.
Dawn in the fields
![Background get more varied with yellows and reds](/_astro/series03_full.5f460b78_2dBpLX.webp)
The hexgons that contain yellow and red begin to take shape.
Details and the passage of time
![All hexagon tiles now contain their respective backgrounds](/_astro/series04_full.266fc3f9_ZkbDb9.webp)
After a few more rounds of refinement and adding details the background had finally been done. With all the backgrounds in place the composition now gives away that it’s meant to resemble a kind of clock where the hands may wander through the scenes. This hand is an actual physical hand and is the next thing I prepared. I used the clockwork of a cheap no-name wall clock and placed it exactly behind the center of the piece with the pole sticking out through the canvas. Next I designed a bee out of primitive shapes all based around the topical hexagon - it would live at the end of the clock hand to circle the center through every scenery placed around it.
Finally done
![The finished painting with the bee attached to the clock hand](/_astro/series05_full.db8bf31c_14iXea.webp)
The finished painting has the bee swirling about the scenery attached to the clock hand; a bit of a hassle to transport but the effect is well worth the effort.
Verdict
I’m very proud of this one, it came out just as I imagined, even the clock-work. Using paper patterns turned out to be sufficient but in the draft phase I would’ve appreciated if I had had pre-made ones available.
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