Clearing Up

Oil on Paper, 8 x 10 inches

This a small painting that I did last spring when the sun finally came out after several dark, rainy days.  I tried to show some of the interesting cloud shapes that were moving around when the cloud cover was clearing up.

Oak Tree Sketches

Here's a set of on-site sketches I did for a painting that I have in mind for the future. An old oak tree would be the central element of the painting.  I did these sketches between late April and early May at about the same time of day to get the same light and shadow effects on the tree trunk and branches.

In Full Sun

"In Full Sun"

Oil on panel

8x10 inches

This is a plein air study that I did during a walk along the west edge of Annadel State Park.  It shows a mound of brush catching the warm  rays of afternoon sunlight.  I will be glad to see some warmer days like this again.

Coffee

Pen and ink drawing in sketchbook, 5.5 x 7 inches

I like to grind coffee beans in this old hand crank coffee mill.  I found it on eBay a few years ago.  Made in Germany during the 1950's; it continues to serve me well each day.  I did a pen and ink drawing of it one of my sketch books.  I didn't leave enough room on the right side to show the knob on the end of the hand crank.

Quarry Rocks and Pool at Spring Lake

Oil on Panel, 8 x 10"

Here is a small oil study that I did of a small pool of rainwater, found along an out-of-the-way path inside Spring Lake Park.  I chose this subject because of its interesting combination of colors, shapes and textures found in the water, rocks, uprooted tree stumps and wildflowers.  I managed to include the sky in this close-up view by showing it in the reflection of the pool.

Pottery and Potatos

"Pottery and Potatos"

Oil on paper

7 x 10" 

This is another winter still life that I did a while back.  I like to set up these compositions during times of the year when the weather is not so good for going outdoors to paint landscapes.  With a still life arrangement I usually like to take some extra time to draw a several preliminary sketches before starting the actual painting, especially if there are no flowers or fruit that will wilt or rot in the meantime. Note how in this painting, one of the potatoes has started a couple of green sprouts, which show that I had this arrangement set up for more than a few days! The pottery mug shown here is my favorite coffee cup.

Notebook Page

India ink and acrylic wash on paper. 

A page from one of my notebooks with pattern ideas for a future project.

Christmas and New Year's Greetings

India ink, acrylic and gouache on paper

Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas and happy new year.

Tomales Bay

A page from my sketchbook, Size 8x10-7/8", Pencil and watercolor.

My Pocket Drawing Kit

I have always been fascinated to learn about what other artists consider their essential tools to carry with them at all times. Currently, I have been making it a habit to always have a sketchbook and drawing supplies with me wherever I go.  In this post I want to share a little bit about the drawing kit that I have put together and carry with me, and how I use it.

The drawing tools I've selected allow me to make basic monochromatic sketches and drawings which can be developed into more finished pieces later on.  I use pencil, charcoal,watercolor and gauche, which allow me a range of media to capture different transient effects of light and form. At the very minimum, a few quick pencil lines jotted in a sketchbook are of more value to me than a photograph for recording the fleeting impressions that I may later develop into a painting.

My drawing kit consists of a "Moleskine"-type notebook and a small metal tin to hold my drawing tools.  Together these two items easily slip into a jacket pocket or side compartment of a courier bag, etc.

Everything must fit inside this tin, or it stays home.  Since there is no room for pen and ink, I learned that if needed, I can add ink-work to drawings later on at home.

 

Inside:

• 1 small "Altoids" tin with four colors of watercolor pigment 
• 1 tube of opaque white gouache
• 3 "Utrecht" brand travel-type watercolor brushes, sizes 1, 5 and 8
• 4B Conte crayon
• an eraser
• BBB charcoal pencil with pencil holder
• Hardtmuth flat sketching pencil
• No.2 pencil stub

(the ruler is for scale)

The watercolors that I use are sepia, Naples yellow, Venetian red and Payne's gray.  I use colors for laying in cool and warm neutral washes to establish masses, rather than to record particular colors.  Since finding containers and water for brush washing is usually easy, I normally don't carry these, unless I know that I am going to be out in the field somewhere. Drawing and painting away from home still require some planning.

After van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night

Acrylic on Canvas, 14 x 11 inches


This is a painting I did earlier this year while teaching a landscape painting class on the use of composition and color.

Sketchbook Trees

A scanned image from my sketchbook
Pencil, ink and brown ink wash
5.5 x 7 inches
I really like to use small pocket sketchbooks for capturing and working out ideas for future painting projects.  This sketch was done on a day that I had originally planned to paint out at the coast, but the wind was too strong for easel work.  This sketch is what I ended up with instead.