Walking the plank

I have got stuck on my narrative sequence, so I thought I would concentrate on a scene I know I want to include: But walking the plank (or tape measure) out of the button tin. I wanted to make the angle interesting, so I looked at this painting by Howard Pyle and liked the dramatic impact the composition has.

 

Walking the Plank: published in Pyle, Howard (August–September 1887). "Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Main". Harper's Magazine.

Working out the Walking the Plank scene

tried again, this time making the plank higher - preferred this version

Tried drawing the composition in stitch - not easy as I couldn't see the lines
very clearly, but it helped experimenting with fabric yesterday, so I knew teabag
material and Calico worked for sewing on.

Adding colour on Photoshop just to get an idea of colours I want to use.
Do need to make sure there is a dramatic shadow on the tin underneath the plank