Beach meditation at sunset

I love sunsets and all the colors that light up in the sky, and the colors come even more alive with clouds. And here in California, sunsets at the beach hit water just right and the rhythmic waves make it a perfect spot for meditating. So here is a man meditating at the beach, part of a story I'm working on illustrating. The challenge here was getting the waves right as they come into the beach...

Original sketch in ballpoint pen

First layer of color

Flame in the woods - photo progression

A friend of mine had asked me to do some illustrations for a book he's writing. As I read through his draft, this scene came to mind. It's similar to a painting I had seen by Gordon MacKenzie titled "Under the Stars". I should have used masking fluid on this piece to help build contrast on the trees, but I decided to try painting around the negative spaces of the trees. Creating a gradient from light to dark AND avoiding painting the trees is a challenge. I probably built more layers of color on the piece than any other piece, and the 90 lb. paper I used took a beating! I need to start working on heavier weight paper! Enjoy the first draft of "Flame in the Woods".

Afternoon fishing on the American River, pencil sketch

I wasn't quite ready to watercolor this scene, so I did a simple pencil sketch...my comfort zone:
 a sketch pad and a #2 pencil!

This guy that was fishing was sitting under the tree talking to his friends more than actually holding his pole, and holding the pole one handed because he had a beer in his other hand, so a little artistic lisence made for a more serene drawing.

Plein air watercolor, shadows and reflections

The weather on this first weekend in spring was just too nice to stay inside to paint, so back outside to paint plein air on the river's edge. Instead of a wide landscape piece that the river lends itself to, I decided to do more of a detailed piece, focusing on the shadows and reflctions of the trees. I am always impressed with paintings that take an ordinary, simple tree or bush and make it artistic. Taking some pointers from a recent watercolor demo, I used some unexpected colors in the foliage, and broke up large areas of the same color.

Pencil sketch of a fountain

This backyard fountain was calling to be drawn. This was just going to be a quick warm-up sketch, but as I got into it, I realized that there was a lot more to it.  The perspective changes slightly as one moves from the top tier to the bottom although I probably emphasized it too much. I also found the symmetricality (is that a word?) of the fountain to be difficult.  And then to add to the challenge is the water dripping down. Of course that is the allure of a fountain in the first place!

Rainbow Om on black with salt

I was just playing around with a couple of techniques here. I used the simple design of the "om" symbol to practice blending blue, red and yellow. At this point I wasn't sure I was done yet so I put a black wash around it and salted it. The salt technique did not turn out as well, not the same texture, as the first time I tried it on "Starry Night"... maybe because I used regular salt instead of sea salt?

Before I added on the black background...

Leopard with coffee

In anticipation of entering a piece of work in the Rancho Cordova City Hall mixed media exibit, I decided to try something new. Of course since the deadline was today at 6:00 pm, I started it this morning...I'm such a procrastinator! Earlier this week I was painting and accidentally rinsed my brush in my coffee cup. It got me thinking, maybe I could paint with coffee.
After I did a simple pencil sketch from a photo of a leopard, I drew in the black spots and lines with a black oil pastel. I also put in white whiskers with oil pastel...they didn't resists the water as well as I had hoped. Then I took some old coffee ( that usually goes to water the plants) and used it as a wash over my pencil sketch. This is the lightest wash on the nose. I needed to get it darker so I boiled the coffee to get it more concentrated. As I continued to test for darkness, and then boil some more, it slowly got to almost where I wanted the color. It definitely is more difficult to work with coffee than watercolor. The darker spots in the shadows needed some black watercolor mixed in.  All of the other color in the painting is watercolor. Sorry the picture didn't come out very well. I try to take photos before I put them under glass, but I was on a deadline!

Nude model quick sketches

 I am always looking for new ways to challenge myself on this creative journey of mine, so this week I went to Patris Studio and Art Gallery for a gesture modeling session. They have a model that poses for 2, 5, or 7 minutes. Little did I know till I got there that it was also a nude model. I had not done drawings like this since my college days, neither nude or quick poses. When drawing for only 2 minutes, it keeps  me from getting stuck on the details. The 5 and 7 minute sessions got a little easier. We ended the day with an hour- long pose.

Plein air painting on the American River

One of my favorite spots to paint is along the American River. It never disappoints. I can always find a beautiful, serene view.  And the weather was a perfect day to be outside. This is at the Howe Avenue River Access, just past the boat ramp. My daughter was with me and asked about how I decide how to simplify all of the details. I told her it was a good question, because that is the part that is the most challenging...to simplify it down to a manageable scene for painting. I did tell her that I generalize the background, and then add in a few details toward the foreground.

This boat was not there while I was painting but after I was finished, it showed up. Maybe I should paint it in...what do you think?

Girl with bowler hat, portrait practice

Another Saturday afternoon at Patris Gallery and Art Studio practicing portrait painting. I focused on her skin tone as well as leaving the paper white for highlights on the skin and hair. My proportions were a little off but my skin tone is definitely improving...it's a mixture of azo yellow, a little alizarin crimson, and a touch of burnt sienna.

Old man pencil sketch

Just a quick pencil sketch of an old man inspired by an image of a pencil drawing by Akash Patel. After I was finished with it, I kind of thought this might be what I will look like in 40 years...
The portrait practice I've been working on has always been from 20 something models (and female) so no one ever has wrinkles! So this was a good change of pace, even if I didn't have a model to work from.

Watercolor of an owl

After taking the "what animal are you" personality test that was on Facebook last week, I decided to continue my series of animal paintings. My animal was the owl. What does that say about me? I am wise?...I stay up late?...I hang out by myself?... I don't know. Anyways, with some help from Google Images, I created this owl. It started out a little "cartoony" but I think I was able to bring it to a point somewhere between cartoony and realistic that I will call artistic! I tried several different techniques to get a sense of texture for the feathers, and at some point I just splattered some paint on for the fun of it. And so I present to you " Mr. Personality"!

Watercolor of a zebra

This painting was inspired by Paul Jackson's "Zebra Bust".  It's definitely a test of a steady hand with each of the stripes. The ear is the only area I had trouble figuring out. I'm glad I chose just to do the head. I can't imagine taking on a whole body of stripes!