To prepare for studying the figure with Al Tofanelli (at l’Atelier aux Couleurs) I’ve been painting the figure from reference photos. It’s going to be so great to paint from live models Friday! I like painting the figure, it’s a real challenge, and I like to play with color. Mike has wonderful warm-violet skin tones. … Read more
Last year I was inching back to a focus on the figure, and it’s now official! This will be my focus in 2010: the figure alone, in interiors and in the landscape. Starting next week, I’m will start studying weekly with Al Tofanelli (Fridays, 9am-1pm at l’Atelier aux Couleurs in Petaluma). My workshop with Peggi … Read more
Another image from Buena Vista Park. I took a picture of clear, afternoon light striking the Monterey Pines. I painted the same type of trees in this park in a high-key approach, and it’s interesting to compare the two. The technical approaches are very different. When I paint high-key, I tend to use a lot … Read more
While painting this seascape the other night, I took snapshots of progress so I could create a demonstration video. I think the process I followed here is somewhat typical, but I always feel free to alter it to meet the needs of the moment. See my YouTube channel for more of my own demos, as … Read more
It’s been a turbulent few weeks, so I’ve not painted much. Spoiler alert: this story does have a happy ending. Some of you may know I was diagnosed with cancer in July. I had a rare malignant tumor in my ear canal. After 2 painful operations–one that completely reconstructed my canal–I was told I still … Read more
I received a nice note today from the “Friends of Hearst Castle“, inviting me to be one of 25 artists chosen to participate in their 2nd annual plein air invitational! A percentage from the sale of the art benefits Friends of Hearst Castle’s artreach program for under-served youth at-risk. Here’s a web page with images … Read more
Jerry Wheeler was my best friend in high school. I remember we met on the back steps of the band room for my first ever class at Cypress High, which was “beginning jazz band” in summer school. As I recall, the first song was “Down Home”. I’d never played jazz before, but knew I had … Read more
Buena Vista Park’s recent “remodel” is complete! It’s great. They’ve added lots of new walkways, wooden bridgets and stairs. A friend of mine (Eric W) is a regular volunteer at the park, and should take some credit (thank you, Eric!). It’s a really beautiful place. I painted this from a reference photo. The sun was … Read more
Painted this little study in my studio the other night from a reference photo. The view is from the Rubicon Trail looking down onto Lake Tahoe, which in this part of the lake is the deepest near shore. I painted in my usual “full key” (full value range), which allowed me to use rich colors … Read more
I took another shot at this composition, but intended to take the high-key concept further, but failed really. I like the way the painting came out, just felt I could have made it ever more “high key”. I’m going to continue to work on this. I painted a “full key” painting from a reference photo … Read more