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.

Red and Lavender and Berkeley Fishers

On Pam's birthday we went to the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I stopped to paint within a few feet of the entrance. Mind you I have been to this garden on many occasions to photograph flowers and the grounds. This is the first time that I have painted there. I have 47 acres to cover. I worked with Casein paints and I stood while I painted holding the surface in my hand.

I purchased a small panoramic sketchbook as a travel log. This was an image I captured at the Berkeley Pier on Sunday of last week. I added the paint later on the plane ride home.

Low Heat Flowers 1

This is the first version. It is larger than the first post of this image. We got some rare cool fronts earlier in August. That little cool snap allowed these flowers to open. I got out and painted them. It was something painted in the yard.

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.

A Building I Liked

I was walking around Charleston after I had finished my work. I took many photos of the buildings. The outside lighting, fence work etc. were beautiful. This is an 18 by 24 watercolor. As always I will revisit this image again. The perspective is off but that's not unusual for me. I didn't venture too far away from the hotel. I will return for more time to explore and paint the area.