Approaching Wave Pastel

I used one of my plein air sketches as inspiration for this little pastel. I worked with a black surface because I'm geared that way. My pastel palette varies according to the painting. A skilled blogger once reviewed this space and encouraged me to discuss my process more. When I was younger I wrote a lot. I poured out my emotions on paper daily. As I grew older, I was less compelled to spell it out. So I, from now on I will discuss process more and also tools and medium.

Companion Comfort

I painted this little one on our last day at Glass beach. Pam was looking for rocks and I was painting people admiring the surf. Below is another sketch from the Shriya Patel trial.

She was sentenced to 20 years by the jury.

Too Close

I was sitting up on one of the cliffs at Glass beach painting this rock and the waves crashing into it. People were a little too close to the waves with their kids in my opinion. That didn't keep me from painting them into the scene. I love painting people from a distance it forces me to leave out distracting details.

Watch Him

On New Years day we decided to stay in Fort Bragg for an extra day. We of course spent some time on Glass Beach. I sat in a good spot to draw and paint and Pam went exploring for rocks and glass. I did a few paintings of people hanging out on the beach. I always get concerned when I see kids walking away from their parents because those waves can be aggressive.

Bike Beachcombing

I was sitting on the beach painting and noticed this couple up on one of the cliffs with their bikes. I got a quick sketch in before the rode away.

I Like This Cloud

Anyone that follows this blog knows that I follow my partner Pam's advice on when to stop painting. I was going to add more layers and more detail in the ocean. Pam told me twice to leave it alone. Here it is. This cloud I painted as it appeared on the horizon and added it while on site to my painting. The initial cloud sketch is below.

I did my studies in gouache for this visit. I like having a color study as a road map. This cloud floated by as I was painting this seascape. I did a sketch of the cloud in my sketch pad and added it to the painting.

I Wanted Foggy

I used a plein air sketch painted at Glass Beach as inspiration for this painting. I was trying to copy a foggy scene. I think this is a little warm for fog. Maybe fog can be warm. I worked on tinted print making paper. Its a welcome change from the starkness of some papers.

Glass Beach Haze

I painted this one while hanging out at Glass Beach on Pam's birthday. When I work with watercolors onsite I usually work on two paintings at a time. I don't have to waste time waiting for an area to dry. The area had changed a lot. They cut back most of the bushes along the main path to the beach. Pam also didn't find as many pieces of glass and rocks as she wanted. She came over as I was painting this one, looked at the painting and told me to stop.

Out Of The Fog 2

I am really enjoying this exploration of a field study. The plein air sketch was completed at Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California. Fog comforts me; I like its intimacy and mystery.

Foggy Birthday Watercolor

I used the plein air sketch for this watercolor. The sketch was completed onsite in oils.

Iceplants in Fog

Another plein air piece from Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California.

Foggy Birthday

On Pam's birthday we went to one of her favorite beaches which is Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California. She combed the beach for glass and shells while I sat and painted this little piece. The fog was heavy that day.

The Splash Fini

I'm finally through nitpicking this painting. I'm calling her done.