Highway Vineyard View

Posting for the holiday's more frequently.

Mt. Diablo Fog and Rain

I recently had my first opportunity to visit California since the pandemic began. I really missed the majestic views. I went with Pam and her friends on a golf outing. I didnt golf but I did sketch and take photos of the beautiful landscape. This was my attempt at Mt. Diablo. The clouds and fog were amazing. The touch of the sun on the greeens was just beautiful.

Eastern Sierras Snow

About a year before the pandemic hit we traveled to the Eastern Sierras. Just like the ocean, these enormous mountains make me feel oh so insignificant. This was done on Saint Armand paper using a variety of pastels in a square format.

Elk Crossing

 

I was last in Northern California in January. We took a trip to the Point Reyes National Seashore. The elk were all over the place plus other forms of wildlife. At times we would literally stop for a herd to cross the road. I was shooting in manual mode on my camera and some of the shots didnt get the details of the elk. I used one of those images as a jumping off point with regard to color. I did the initial drawing with a Keurotaki brush pen on St. Armand paper. I then added the pastel.

Convict Lake

We spent an afternoon at one of Pam's favorite places in the Eastern Sierras. Convict Lake was absolutely beautiful. Pam got in some fly fishing while I sketched and took photos. This sketch was done in my Garza Papel sketchbook. The paper is very soft and is great for fountain pen sketching. The water was crystal clear. The surrounding mountains were a visual feast.

Sierras Car Sketch

This years birthday trip was to the Eastern Sierras. We spent three days in the town of Lee Vining, California. The town has a population of about 450 people. Mono Lake is located there and tourism is a big part of the town's income. In order to get there we had to go through Yosemite National Park. The landscape in and around the park was jaw dropping. I had three sketchbooks and loose sheets of Khadi watercolor paper to work with. I did some sketching while Pam drove (thank you Pam). This image is from my new Etchr sketchbook. I chose the hot press version because of the ease of sketching in pen. I was inspired by the different trees and the character of the rock formations.

Familiar In California

Wind Power And Cows

Pam usually drives when we travel in California. I sketch and manage the tunes. We were heading out of the Central Valley area when I sketched this scene. This is the first painting inspired by that sketchbook entry. I used a variety of pastels on cream Sabretooth paper. Like Texas, California is going through drought conditions. Hopefully that will end soon.

Red Crane

30 by 22 inches This is a glimpse of downtown San Francisco painted from one of my photographs. I think its a little too controlled and tight. I may try a looser version. I was of course attracted to the red piece of construction equipment, trolleys and the people. I used a variety of watercolor brands on Langton Prestige 300 gsm paper. I probably spent about 30 hours on this piece.