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.

Bare Trees Across the Lake

Lake Cleone is a beautiful place. One could find things to paint there forever. I got to spend a few hours painting this beautiful area in early September. The morning light there is awesome.

Not A Wave

The first morning in Fort Bragg. I was sitting on the Captain's Deck painting the morning light. It was peaceful with the waves crashing in the background. I used a lot of medium to avoid the matte properties of casein. I chose this format just for grins.

Chasing Morning Shadows

The field across the street from the hotel is ripe with subject matter and great morning light. In this painting that was my primary task and joy. I laid in the initial sketch in permanent ink. I then laid in the colors. I used a lot of casein medium in this painting. I wanted to avoid the matte texture that one gets without the medium. I also executed a color study in my sketchbook prior to starting the larger sketch. It is posted below.

Daniel Smith watercolors over ink drawing done with a Parker fountain pen. Stillmann and Birn sketchbook beta series.

Garden Glow

Pam left her sunflowers in for me to paint. I used casein on a toned panel. I was challenged by the light coming thru parts of the petals. I don't think this effort is bad but I do think it can be improved. This one does deserve another go. I love the density of casein. To me it is denser than gouache.

Pumpkin Patch

I painted this while standing in Pam's garden. These were "volunteers" as they were not planted. Before my trip I purchased an number of 6 by 12 toned panels from Jerry's. I painted with casein paints. I was attracted to the leaves and the pumpkins.

Bottom Feeders

I like painting tulips because they move around a lot. These guys ducked down for a while. I liked the positions of the flowers and that was my focus. The next morning they were completely different. Another in the counter top series.

Close Friends

Last week I had both tulips and daisy's to paint on my kitchen counters. This is a grouping of four tulips. I worked in casein on a Creative Mark seafoam toned panel.

Up Close And Personal

I found some toned panels in California. I bought green and grey panels in multiple formats. This is an 8 by 6 floral painted right in my kitchen. I worked in casein.

Two For Brunch

I drew this painting on site and added the color and letters later. Of course its Gloria's Restaurant in downtown Austin. Casein was the medium and I used a black surface that was twelve by twelve inches. I took photos of the scene with my cell phone before and during the drawing process. I used the photos for pointers on color.

Which Path

This is one of the larger plein air sketches that I completed on my most recent trip to northern California. I was sitting under the perfect shade tree with my supplies. We were in a nice little park with people and animals. I chose this scene because I loved the graphic feel of it.

Wave Meditation

After years of painting these I have just now realized that these are meditation paintings. I usually paint these after a full day of painting. By then my brain is free to just paint the feel of the wave. I think its a good thing to memorize the crashing of a beautiful wave and then to put it down while its still fresh in your mind. I'm usually sitting on the balcony painting the waves and sunset until its too cold and windy to paint.

We have had a few cool days here in Austin. On those mornings these flowers come out. I love the color of this flower and I enjoy the surprise they give me when they come out.

Town Lake Fun

A few weeks ago I went over to Zilker park with a friend to do some sketching. We ended up under the bridge near Barton Springs road. I enjoyed trying to capture the kayakers as they paddled by.

Three In The Weeds

This painting was a bit rushed because my painting time was short. I like to watch and painting birds. I was very comfortable sitting on the ground with my supplies spread about in the shade. I worked on a black 8 by 8 panel in casein. I was peaceful that entire vacation. I cant wait to retire.

Cliff Bush and Waves Below

Another painting from the balcony. The sun was setting and the paints were melting onto the surface for me. One of those zen paintings done with my eyes half closed.

Captain's Deck Morning

I painted this view of the field from the "Captain' Deck" of the hotel. I plan on some nocturnes on my next visit. This is one of the looser paintings of the holiday. I think my eye has changed a bit. The paintings from this trip represent a shift for me. As I look at each one I see study and improvement. This series had a few good ones.

Morning Shadows Through Branches

I have always admired the morning light in the field across the street from the hotel. I have often thought of painting it. This trip I finally did. I painted from the hotel balcony. Casein was what I worked with most on this trip. I had heard about it and seen some of the paintings and decided to give it a go. I found it easy to work with.

Pond Birds Point Richmond

I painted this piece while sitting under a shade tree at Point Richond. I started out with a value sketch in my sketchbook and then painted this image using the sketch and what was in front of me. I liked the birds that were playing in the pond and the trees in the background. I painted it on a piece of 8 by 10 gator board that had been coated with about three layers of gesso.

A page from my travelogue sketchbook that I took with me during my recent trip to Northern California. I painted this from the hotel balcony.

Lake Cleone Afternoon

Lake Cleone had what appeared to be fungus on its surface. I saw lots of birds but didn't include them in the painting because my focus was the lake and the colors on its surface. I like the lake and the birds that populate it. I sometimes forget that the beautiful Pacific Ocean is across the parking lot. Because of my affection for the lake, I will at times start out painting the ocean scenes and then end the day over at Lake Cleone.

Something At Peace

I was sitting on the balcony of our room watching the waves and of course painting. I decided to use the balcony fencing to divide up the picture space for paintings. I was able to get in about four pieces using this method. I was working with casein paints which remind me of gouache in many ways. My goal was 20 paintings that day. I came close to that goal. It was Pam's birthday and the day was her's as far as places to visit. I must say that most of the paintings I did deserve to be further explored as larger paintings.

I took the time to relax and sketch before putting paint to paper. I think that calmed my minds eye too.