We Leave It Behind

I made this painting standing on Pam's back porch. Pam had complained about how one of the workers wouldn't pull up his pants as I was doing the initial sketch. Of course this guy had his underwear exposed and that became part of the pun and painting. On a more serious note, I knew the man who lived in that house. He passed away this year. His house is being renovated for sale or rent. That's how I got the title. Gary left behind his home and belongings. I catch myself looking out Pam's window into his backyard. I miss him and I hope he rests peacefully.

Speak To The Hand

I started out with an under painting in oil on Uart paper. The flowers were on the counter top and I painted each one as a portrait. When I looked at this piece on screen, I immediately thought "talk to the hand". Hence the name. Some of the oil under painting peeks through and adds little interesting passages to get caught up in.

Lone Diner Reluctant Model

The initial sketch for this painting was completed in a diner in Fort Bragg, California. This guy knew I was drawing him. I could sense his discomfort so I did a quick ink sketch and moved on to another subject. The ink was not permanent so I used it to establish the dark and mid tones before adding watercolor. I used the exquisite Garza Papel as a surface and Daniel Smith watercolors.

Beach Family Time

During the most recent visit to Fort Bragg, Ca., I actually spent a lot of time just sitting on the beach as opposed to the patio of our hotel room. I was able to sketch people on the beach from a perspective I enjoy. I love exploring this town and state in pen, watercolor, pastel...I was drawing as fast as I could on a beautiful piece of paper in ink. I was drawn to how tall the dad was and the baby on his shoulders. I loved the action in the waves too.

Barber Station 7 and Before Me

I have been taking my sketchbook with me to the barber shop just in case I have to wait for a cut. I worked on blue St Armand canal paper. I'm still getting used to the surface.

This is the guy that usually cuts my hair. The initial sketches were done in ink on site. The pastel was added later.

Pond Reeds

This lake has many faces. During this visit there weren't as many birds to paint. The lake was covered with what appeared to be pollen (probably wasn't). It was mid morning but the light was still nice. Pam was collecting rocks while I got in a few paintings. I focused on he reeds because of their color.

Cafe One Brunch

I love having lunch or brunch at Cafe One in Fort Bragg, California. The food is good for you in the sense that it is real food. I have sketched in this place many times. I did this one during Sunday brunch waiting for food. I worked with Garza Papel watercolor paper, Daniel Smith watercolors and my Parker ink pen.

At The Office

I drew these two as I was waiting in traffic in Richmond,California. These two appeared to be dealers. The guy wearing the coat I think was the mule (guy who engages in the transfer of drugs). They also could have been brothers waiting to catch the next bus to school. Anyway onward. I used the Parker fountain pen in a Beta series Stillman and Birn sketchbook. I added watercolor later.

Standing Ground

One of my many flower portraits. When I first scanned this in the initial thought was this was an image standing its own ground. Hence the title.

People Rocks And Waves

Yes I painted a lot in California. I did about 30 ink sketches on the Garza Papel when I was sitting on the beach. Its a good place to practice drawing people, animals, rocks and vessels. The ink dissolves and gives me a nice value pattern. The color is the gravy.

Old Highway Bridge

I loved this bridge. Pam was driving us back from Tracey, California and out of nowhere comes this bridge. It reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock look in films. I will paint this again as I wasn't able to get the entire bridge in the initial drawing. Maybe I should have done a few notan sketches before plunging in.

Barn in a Vineyard

This is a made up scene from the sketch posted below. As Pam was driving I did sketches of grape vines as we drove thru wine country. I worked on a surface called Sabretooth Cream in a variety of pastels. The sketch is from my Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

Parker fountain pen and watercolor.

A Flower Begins

This was my second visit to the gardens to paint. My agreement with Pam was that I wouldn't stay in one place the entire visit. I saw this bloom midway through the gardens. I did a quick sketch on Garza papel (paper) and moved on. I later added watercolor. I was attracted to the transparency of the petals.

Puppies and Pink Pants

This is another beach sitting sketch. I am taking a course online from Marc Taro Holmes, a well known urban sketcher. The course is about sketching, one of my favorite things to do. In these paintings I am doing the quick drawings onsite in water soluble ink on Garza Papel watercolor paper. I later add water to establish the values in ink. After that, I flood the paper with water and just hang on when the colors move. I respect the water distribution of color and leave it.