Just south of the art town Carmel lies Big Sur, probably the most majestic meeting of land and sea in California. It’s been painted by many artists over the past 100 years. Unfortunately, it’s also been scared by the recent fires this summer. I don’t know what the area looks like today, and am a … Read more
Sunday was warm, clear and little wind, so a great day to paint the coast. I wandered over to an area I like generally referred to “Lands End” (here’s a Google Maps aerial view). On days with clear sky, you’ll notice that the shadows are quite blue as the sky color reflects directly on shadowed … Read more
This is just a little figure study I did from a photo book. I am looking forward to painting live models in the next few weeks when David returns from Latin America. Painting the figure is by far the best way to learn to draw. I drew the figure a year with charcoal and newsprint … Read more
Looking through my reference photos last night, I can across photos of China Town, here in San Francisco. I did paint a plein air piece there a few months ago, but wasn’t that happy with it. It can be difficult for me to simplify while out doors (the distractions: weather, tourists, pressure for time with … Read more
Even with David (the artist I share models with) out of the country, I decided to continue my painting of model Manuel–without him present. Of course normally, this is a huge “no-no”, but I was focused on the background, so I think it’s looking good. Might just call it done, and work on something else … Read more
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I often study with Camille Przewodek, a fantastic plein air colorist painter from Northern California. I recently chronicled my workshop experience with her in Kauai (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). She’s a great teacher, and has such a unique perspective on color, I can … Read more
It’s been a while since I last painted Pinnacles Monument. This was done from a digitally projected image in my studio. Kind of a warm up piece for painting the rest of the week (which I have off!). Enjoy! Pinnacles – Oil on Linen – 11×14 AVAILABLE IN MY STORE
It was a beautiful day yesterday. I packed my car with my easel and Gracie, and headed over the Golden Gate from San Francisco to Marin. At the end of Mitchell Road, you’ll find the Rodeo Lagoon and Beach, all part of Fort Cronkhite. This fort was built in haste at the start of World … Read more
Keeping the forms simple here, I was able to push color. I like larger color blocks that read well from a distance, as opposed to broken color. I think this will like a nice larger studio painting. What do you think? BTW, does the cave in the lower right read that way? White Coastal Bluffs … Read more
Another “Rocks & Surf” painting. I like this subject because it allows me to push my brush strokes within forms that are free-flowing (water) and solid (rocks). Also, like painting clouds, it’s easy to move things around for the sake of composition without having to worry about perspective, size, etc. Rocks & Surf – Oil … Read more