I’m leaving Saturday morning for a week of painting as part of the San Luis Obispo Plein Air 2006 show. I’m really looking forward to this. It’s a much smaller group than Estes Park Plein Air, and I have several friends in the show. We’ve decided to get together for regular critiques during the week … Read more
I usually try to put too much into my paintings. Simplifying my compositions is a focus, as well as taking my time getting color/value/temperature relationships just right. I was reminded of how powerful simplicity could be after visiting Bart Westgeest’s blog “I Landscape” the other day and his post “2 x Blue“, a wonderful study … Read more
This painting is based on a study and photograph I took at the Estes Park Plein Air event. It was a particularly difficult day because the weather was not cooperating, to say the least: thunder storms followed by clouds. Once in a while, the light would find it’s way to ground to create a wonderful … Read more
It find it ironic that artists are often asked to donate their work to charity events, when we’re among the lowest paid professions. I wasn’t asked to donate a painting for my company’s upcoming silent auction, but I wanted to. I’m building a “Silent Auction Blog” for them. It’s actually a very interesting reuse of … Read more
I was going through the studies I did at Ovanes Berberian’s workshop last summer and came across this one. While not everything “reads”, I like the abstract nature of parts of it and the rendering of light on the cup. Coffee Cup – Oil on Linen – 10×8
I spent most of yesterday fixing paintings (based on the critiques I received on this blog) and I started a new sunset painting that isn’t quite ready to photograph. First, Rocky Mountain Stream. I had some trouble with this one. I felt the color of the stream was too saturated (and you agreed), but when … Read more
As per previous posts, I’m working on some paintings based on my reference photos and sketches from Rocky Mountain National Park. I hope these are helpful. I should probably take more photos in between stages, but here’s at least three. Here’s the drawing. I focus on general shapes and identify the darkest area of the … Read more
Back from my “Rocky Mountain High“, I’ve started evaluating the hundreds of reference photos I took and planning some studio paintings. Yes, Plein Air painters painting in the studio too: I use reference photos and color studies from the field to do larger works in the comfort of home. I’m happy with this one. I’m … Read more