Afternoon Crab Special

This is a plein air piece that I completed on my most recent trip to Fort Bragg, California. We were hanging out in the afternoon and these birds were hunting crab. Pam actually "rescued" one and threw it back into the ocean.

Flowers In The Fog

This years birthday trip to Fort Bragg, California was a success and challenge in many ways. We had a beautiful place to stay that overlooked the ocean and we decided to step out of the box with our dining habits. I did a ton of sketching and photographing. This sketch is of the flowers that grow along the beach and the ocean in the background. Fog was setting in but the flowers were still crisp.

Since I don't drive well on curvy roads, I get to be the passenger. I sketch the road as we go along. As I was drawing this one Pam asked me if I ever got car sick. This is a double page spread in my Rabisco sketchbook from Portugal. I almost finished this sketchbook during our trip. The paper is top quality and its perfect for sketching.

The Fog Was Warm

Over the years, I have spent many foggy days painting in Fort Bragg, California. This was painted from the balcony of our room. I recently completed varnishing a lot of my pieces on copper. It's fun to share and remember the circumstances under which they were painted.

Last year I observed and sketched this trial. It involved a lady that took medication and drove under the influence. She killed two people and injured others. She was found guilty.

Skateboard and Dog

This is the same young man from two posts ago. This time I caught him on his skateboard with a nice dog in the background. This year I want to work more with oils. So to start the year off I worked on a few plein air and studio oil paintings during my New Years trip to see Pam.

Beach Sport

One of many paintings completed in early September. I worked in ink with watercolor washes on Garza Papel (paper). I love handmade papers. I enjoyed the group dynamics of this set of people.

Headlands Light

I was on the bridge above the headlands when I did this drawing. Pam was waiting in the car. I was able to get two drawings in before we needed to leave. I added Daniel Smith watercolors later. I think working with sketches done onsite is increasing my memory muscle. I have to recreate the scene and emotion behind the scene when I later add color.

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.

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.

Beach Puppies

I just returned from my annual birthday trip to Fort Bragg, California. It was a great time and I got to make many paintings and drawings while I was there. We spent a lot of time just sitting on the beach. I took those opportunities to sketch people and puppies. I did the initial drawing on site with a Parker fountain pen. I worked on handmade Garza Papel watercolor paper. Daniel Smith watercolors were added later.

Beach Path

Another painting done from the captain's deck of the hotel. I like the way the grasses on the sides of the trail varied in color. I have never before painted this part of the area. I guess that is the beauty of plein air painting for me. Even if I have been to a place many times, it can still be new to me with regard to painting and photography. My intent was for the painting to vibrate with energy.

After having lunch in Dublin, California with Pam and her sister at Casa Orozco I got in this quick sketch of the restaurant bartender and a guy drinking at the bar. I added watercolor later.

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.

Across The Roadway

Whenever we stay in Fort Bragg this is the view across from the hotel in the morning. I'm usually the one that goes to fetch breakfast so I get this treat. Hopefully, I will get to see it next month for my birthday. Nothing fancy here just straight up watercolor on a large piece of paper.

Garden Shadows

A little painting inspired by the botanical garden in Fort Bragg. A truly beautiful place along a beautiful coastline. I like working in the 6 by 6 format on the Strathmore Artist Tiles. I need to spend less time with them but whatever.

Swept Away

I spent a lot of time playing with the waves during my last visit to Fort Bragg. I'm trying to improve my memory by painting waves as I remember them. Its an ongoing process because its art and exploration. It works best when I can sketch out what I see in a sketch pad using gouache.

Even Harbor (IP)

I can't say that I'm finished with this one yet as I think it needs to be darker. Not in feeling but in the light.

About Peace

The title comes from where I go when I see a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I got a new sets of Terry Ludwig Pastels for the holidays. I've been taking them for a stroll. The under painting is watercolor and the surface is print making paper.

Clouds Passing Over

I love a good sky. I think the sky was my focus during this series of plein air paintings. The clouds were amazing as were the colors and light.

Pudding Creek Bridge

This bridge was closed for a while. Now its used by those getting in their morning runs or those getting to work at the hotel. It can produce some pretty nice shadows in the afternoon.

Sunset Colors 1

We were in Fort Bragg, CA for the new year. It was great. I got in a lot of painting relaxing and ocean gazing. I of course got in many paintings of the ocean at sunset.