Pastel Talking Smoke Break

I plan on changing the size of the form in the back right. I posted the study for this painting last Monday. I changed up the composition a little. Will post the finished version soon.

More Sketchcrawl

During the sketch crawl with Plein Air Austin members I got in a few marker sketches. I must say I'm a fan. You can lay down a sketch much faster with the broad strokes. The markers were the Prismacolor brand. They didn't generate the toxic smell that some markers make.

Upcoming Juried Show with Austin Pastel Society

These two paintings got into our 2011 Annual Juried Member Exhibition. I submitted two seascapes and this one still life. I personally thought that the other seascape was a better painting but who am I but a painter. Glad to get in.

Watercolor Tree One

Commerce Fall landscape.

Point Reyes Dairy Occupants

This is simmering on the easel. I have already spent another hour on it since this picture was taken. California dairy country on Point Reyes.

Unacknowledged Larger Version (in pro)

I am still exploring this image. This is an 18 by 24 drawing that has changed a bit. I added a touch of color and darkened the values a little.

Solitary Lunch

I like painting outdoor restaurant dining areas. The people if they are drinking are a lot more animated and comfortable. This person was alone or waiting for a lunch companion.

Talking Smoke Break

This is more a drawing than painting. I started out using charcoal but got tempted by the color at the very end. This scene is downtown San Francisco near the museum.

Sketchcrawl Sketches

Two sketches from Saturdays sketch crawl. I didn't crawl very far.

Sketch Three Pears

This is the charcoal study for the pastel painting "Three Pears".

Don't Fence Me In

I didn't want to put wire on the posts because to me it wasn't needed. This is a California Holstein from one of the many dairy farms on Point Reyes.

The Splash

I have changed this one up just a little since this photo. But, the energy is the same. This is probably Glass Beach.

The UnAcknowledged 2

Another in the series associated with those we are prone to ignoring. His face really struck me. It had a quiet dignity about it. I took a photo of him as he walked away.

Cross

The citscape from a different perspective.

Sketch A touch of Elegance

Last week I published the pastel version of this image. This is the charcoal sketch.

Sketch UnAcknowledged

I took this photo of a homeless guy recently. This is the resulting sketch. When I first viewed the photo I thought about this man's untold story. We all have one.

Barn

A barn

Second Tree (Commerce Landscape

The second half of the picture.

Oceanfront Trees

This is a little study in prep for a larger painting. Pam bought me a new set of Terry Ludwig pastels for Christmas. Of course I used them in this one. Its the cityscape set but the colors can easily translate into landscapes.

The Muse (in pro)

Another painting inspired by the many music festivals in and around Austin. It was getting dark and the light was fun across their faces.

First Tree

I divided the image above in half and worked in pastel.

Commerce Fleld

For those of you in Commerce that read this blog, this field is right across from the Norris School many of us attended prior to and after desegregation. My mother's family also had a home near this land. The photo was taken during my visit for Thanksgiving last year.

Three Pears

I know ...a little poetic license with the colors. I like to change up the palette a bit. Another painting of my friend Ruth's cooking pears from her ranch.

A Little Elegance

I saw this lady walking around downtown Boston. What struck me about her was the bright red outfit and the one flower sticking out of her bag.

About Their Business

A Boston street scene. I plan on working on it a bit more as the values need more volume.

Fort Bragg Plein Air Sketch

A study in values and movement.

Aboveground

This one is part of my California transit system series.

Smashing Waves Fini

I hope to not touch this painting again. I think its done. I should frame it to protect it. Off the easel.

Steep Drop Fini

I went back in to clean up a few areas. This one is done.

Protest Prep Sketch

This is a practice sketch for a larger set of paintings. It's set in Boston, MA. The police were readying themselves for yet another protest march against our ongoing wars. I will work in both pastel and watercolor for this image. I took this photo just before the marching began. In the actual image the dominant color is the canary yellow of the police vests.