Vineyard Bales 2

I always paint another version so this is the second watercolor. Its a bit larger than the first version and not as tight. At least in my opinion. We did take some time in this area so I think the paintings are true to the spirit of the land.

Drawing Modern Childsplay

These two are clearly enthralled by a smart phone. Its amazing the amount of attention we give our phones. I try not to carry mine everywhere. In the actual photo a little blue from the screen was reflected on their skin.

Vineyard Bales

These bales were near a vineyard in Northern California. Pam pulled over to let me get in a few sketches of the area. This image was taken with my camera phone prior to getting down to some sketches. This format is a little different but fun.

McKinney Falls Bluebonnets 2

This is the largest version of this image. I coated some gator board with Golden's fine pumice gel and copper pigment as an underpainting. I then applied the pastel. This is another exploration of the photo of bluebonnets from a few years ago.

Drawing Floating Neighbors

This drawing is not associated with the current painting by the same name. I must have the title on my brain again. This is a scene from the El Granada Pier. I think the first painting will be in watercolor. Its the medium I am into lately.

Drawing The Cook (In Progress)

This is definitely a two drawing image. The angle of the face and the hat pose a challenge. So more than likely another drawing will follow before I pick up the brushes or the pastels. This is a family cousin that I recently met again as an adult. He has interesting features so of course he had to be drawn.

When We Last Had Bluebonnets

While working the gallery this weekend I explored this image taken at McKinney Falls State Park a few years ago when we actually had rain. I started out with a watercolor and then ventured into my pastel studies. I coated a piece of museum board with Golden's Fine Pumice Gel Medium mixed with Pearl Ex sparkling copper pigment. I didn't use an underpainting as I wanted the copper specks to peek through. I worked with a variety of pastel brands. I may tone done my darks a bit. The painting almost has too much energy.

Mountain Stream 2

This is a larger version of Mountain Stream. I worked on most of this at the gallery last Saturday. I love the light there. I see better so I think I paint better when I'm at the gallery. I wish that I had done some sketches of this scene onsite. By the time I found it I had been painting for an hour on the side of the road. My feet got cold so I got in two quick watercolors and went to find Pam. She was looking for rocks in this beautiful area. I took some photos with my phone and went to the car to warm my feet.

McKinney Falls Bluebonnets

A few years ago we had a pretty good crop of bluebonnets. I was painting at McKinney Falls State Park all day and failed to even notice this scene until I was packing up to leave. It was spring time and the greens were amazing. Since then we have been in a very bad drought. Lets hope it ends soon. I miss the bluebonnets.

Three of Them

A little landscape from the North East Texas area.

Hairdo Time

The first painting of this duo. I posted the drawing on Monday. I enjoyed the watercolor. Of course one is slave to the medium and little is controlled. Its that feature that keeps me returning to it. This is family time during the Christmas holidays. Someone is always getting their hair done.

Bale Drawing

Another exploratory drawing for a few landscape paintings. I like to draw a scene multiple times before getting to a painting. It helps with the values, composition etc. This is another scene from the Sulfur Springs highway in Northeast Texas.

Drawing Hairdo Time

This one is an addition to my "Doing Hair" series. The patron is my niece and the stylist is my nephew's significant other. I took this photo during our Christmas holidays last year.

Samuel P Taylor Stream

Another painting on the new Terra Skin surface. It is similar to Yupo but a bit different in how it drys. I like the way watercolor flows over it and into really interesting little puddles. I have yet to achieve a painting with really sharp edges on this surface. That may be a good thing.

Miles Again

I did another painting of young Miles. This version is 12 by 9 inches.

Pastel Profile Study

This is the pastel installment of a family member with a great beard. Plus he has the family skin which can be dark and smooth. I used one of my prepared surfaces as a ground to add a little texture.

Mountain Stream

A painting from the Northern California area. We were in the redwoods. Just off the road was this stream that was dappled by sunlight peeping through fog.

Bales In Abundance

Another in my Hay Bale series that will probably be ever expanding. I saw this line of bales along the highway. Beautiful shapes and light are what drew me to this image.

Corner House 2

I read about this new surface called Terra Skin. Its not made from tress so I decided to give it a whirl. My initial observation was the weight of the surface. Its made of stone so a small piece has a little heft to it. It reminds me of a thicker Yupo surface. I love the way the paint settles on the paper.

Profile Study

Another small watercolor study of a family member. I liked the dark skin tones against the stark contrast of his white facial hair.