Jigsaw Puzzle of Wild Deer in a Glade

This tranquil jigsaw puzzle of deer in a glade on a foggy morning is only 500 pieces. However this was a slightly more demanding picture to assemble as so many of them were quite similar. Once the border was put in place at least there were a few out of the way! 

The remaining jigsaw puzzle pieces were then sorted roughly into foreground and background, with anything obviously tree trunks or deer sorted together within their respective groups. Some of the russet tree in the background ended up with the foreground gathering but this was not an issue yet.

It seemed best to start with the middle tree trunks as they were fairly distinctive. Then as there were less grey tone pieces than orange, the remaining background was filled in. Once the outer edges of the russet tree were picked up at this stage it was relatively easy to isolate the inner sections from the pile of mainly orange pieces as these were much darker.

Once the background was complete, it was time to establish the more solid sections of deer, and already the picture was about half finished. Now it was time to look at piece shape as much as colour, although the lighter and darker hues helped with piece placement. 

When assembling any jigsaw puzzle, the best way to approach it is to think of it as blocks of colour and pattern, whether large or small. Any pieces not fitting the section being worked on should be put aside so as not to complicate or bemuse.