Sketchbook - Sunset at Bodega Head

This is a quick study that I did in my pocket sketchbook over the Labor Day weekend.  I am always glad when I see something interesting and have sketching materials ready to capture the moment!

Watercolor and pencil on paper; 3-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches

Schoolhouse Beach, Again

Here is a sketch of Schoolhouse Beach done over the weekend.  Maybe an idea for a future painting.

Pencil on paper, 3.5" x 10.75"

Recent Sketchbook Drawings

I have been making an effort to do more sketching as the opportunities arise, and then post them to this blog when I have filled a few pages in my sketchbook with drawings I think people might want to look at.  Here are some below:

"View of Baker Street in Petaluma, CA"

"Calm Day at Doran Beach, Bodega Bay, CA"

"Morning Shadows, Three Rivers, CA"

"Hillside, Three Rivers, CA"

"View of the hills, Three Rivers, CA"

Sunlight and Rocks, Shell Beach

Here's a new watercolor I did of a view overlooking the rocks at Shell Beach, along the Kortum Trail.

Watercolor, India Ink; 5.5 x 7 inches

The challenge was working with strong sunlight reflections coming off the ocean.

Historic Call House at Fort Ross

Last weekend we drove up to Fort Ross for the afternoon. While there, I had the opportunity to do this small sketch of the historic Call House, built in 1878, which is located near the reconstructed Fort Ross complex.

Pencil; 3.5 x 5.5 inches

Preparatory Studies

 

 

 

Winter Waves

A painting I did a couple years ago of Schoolhouse Beach on a winter day.

Schoolhouse Beach, Oil on Panel, 12" x 16"

Detail view.

Last Light, Bodega Bay

"Last Light" - Oil on panel,  8 x 10 inches

A quick painting I did over the weekend.  A view overlooking Bodega Bay during the last moments of a summer day.  This one was sold directly off the easel to the property owner next door who sees this view from their house.

Painting on the Fourth of July

Here is one of two paintings I did at a spot along the Sonoma Coast near Duncan's Cove, yesterday afternoon.  The weather was especially nice for painting.  The wind was calm and the light was perfect. 

"Rock Beach", Oil on Board, 11x16 inches

The spot where I set up my easel.

Scotty Creek

Watercolor and pencil on drawing paper

This is another watercolor from my sketchbook of ideas for future oil paintings.  The sketch is based on a photo I took at a spot on the side of the road (Highway One) where Scotty Creek meets the Pacific ocean.  It was a bright day and there was a lot of reflection from the sand and water.  

Schoolhouse Beach Sketch

Here's another page from a small sketchbook that I carry around. This is a view of cliffs and rocks at Schoolhouse Beach. I drew this while sitting in the truck because it was a windy day.

Bodega Head Cliffs

Watercolor and pencil on paper

Here's a small watercolor sketch I did a while back of the cliffs at Bodega Head.  I've tried to show the effect of late afternoon winter light by contrasting the long dark shadows against the bright foam of the surf.

Hogbacks

Late yesterday afternoon I did these two quick drawings in my 3.5 by 5.5 inch pocket sketchbook of the "Hogback Rocks" at Wright's Beach, .  The weather was perfect for plein air painting, considering the time of the year.

Winter Shadows

Duncan's Landing Shadows, 3.5 x 5" sketchbook, December 2011

Duncans's Landing Cove, 11x14", Oil on Panel, January 2009

Duncans's Landing is on of our favorite spots along the Sonoma Coast of northern California.  We have stopped here many times over the years to watch the ocean waves crash on the rocks, or just read and relax here.  By now I have done more than a few sketches and paintings from this spot.  One feature that I have returned to draw and paint is the cliff and beach of the small cove at Duncan's Landing.  Above are two of my attempts to capture the deep winter shadows that are so characteristic of the northern California coast at this time of the year.

Stormy Day at Bodega Head

"Bodega Head Rocks"

Oil on Paper

8 x 10"

This is a painting from a snapshot I took while standing on the Bodega Head cliffs on the Sonoma Coast. The water was very green and there was this very orange stripe of sunlight cutting straight across a dark overcast sky.  Here's my attempt to capture some vivid color effects lasting a only a few minutes.

Art Notecards on Etsy

If you havn't yet visited my new Etsy store, please take a look at the notecards that I'm offering for sale there. My notecards are...

• quality digital prints of my artwork
• individually signed by me 
• blank inside to write your own message 
• with a matching white envelope
• individually wrapped in a plastic sleeve for gift-giving 
• "affordable art" and suitable for framing

See below some cards that I've listed for sale.  
(Click on each title/link to go directly to the item in my store).

"Bottle and Lemons"

"Gleason Beach Rocks"

"Market Turnips"

Sketch of Surf at Bodega Head

Ink and sepia wash on paper, 5 1/2 x 8 inches

It was a cold, windy day when I made this sketch of the winter surf at Bodega Head.

Russian Gulch

Oil on Canvas, 11x14 inches


This is a painting of a view of the Pacific coast from near Highway One as it appears during a late afternoon in the fall, just before the winter rains commence. This is a subject that I have painted several times, trying to capture the intense orange and gold hues of the coastal hills. It is signed in the lower left corner and painted on stretched canvas.

Rock Beach Surf

Oil on Panel, 8 x 10 inches
A windy March day.  Gleason Beach rocks are seen in the distance.

Schoolhouse Beach - Spring

Oil on Panel, 11x14 inches, Sold

Painted on a calm day at the Sonoma Coast.  The wind was mild for a change.