I’ve startred a series of paintings of views from Buena Vista Park, in San Francisco. This was my first attempt. I’m having fun figuring out a new subject, as I traditionally don’t paint architecture. I’ve found painting it a chore–the perspective, scale, etc, all has to work or it will detract from the painting. It … Read more
One of the ongoing challenges I am working on is a balance between colorism (pushing local color) and tonalism (photographic accurate value and color). A technique I have been using to mix very accurate color I call “brush in front”, which relies on accurate color spot mixing promoted by Charles Hawthorne and Henry Henche (see … Read more
Gold Country Plein Air was the kick-off event for what will be at least five plein air paint-outs I’m scheduled for this year, including: Telluride Plein Air (June 28th-July 4th), Jewel by the Bay (July 17-20), Valona Plein Air (July 28-August 5th), Estes Park Plein Air confirmed yesterday! (August 25), and San Luis Obispo Plein … Read more
Today’s event was a public paint-out on the grounds around Mountain Springs Gold Course. It seemed a bit out of the way to me, but ended up being surprisingly well attended. My guess is there were between 60-100 people there. Most were collector/ameture artists, which was great, because they asked very good questions (not the … Read more
It’s still raining here this morning (supposed to clear, keep your fingers crossed), so I spent the morning fixing the pond in “Mountain Springs Sunset”, and also framed the first three to deliver. Kris (the gallery owner) called this morning. Since it’s raining, she’s setting up still lifes in the gallery, so unless it clears, … Read more
Great morning! Clear, wonderful. Headed up to Pinecrest to paint the late. A bit of a drive (30 miles, and I needed to be back in Sonora for the artist’s lunch), but well worth it. Why? SNOW! At that elevation, yesterday’s rain that produced pain brought today’s gain. I love painting snow…the color of shadows, … Read more
Well, the day started out sweet, with Dottie’s special “Peaches & Cream” French toast. Nice. It was good I ate a nice big breakfast, because I slept much of the day! It rained all morning, so I stayed in, read a book in bed and napped. I love naps 🙂 It did clear up later … Read more
Full day of painting today, despite killer allergies. I completed these three studies, in order during the day. What do you think? Any good enough for the show Saturday? This was a kind of “warm up”. I started with a full color wash. The sky started as a cool yellow (Hansa Yellow). I later added … Read more
Not much to report: spent 5 hours driving to Yosemite; got flipped-off by a speeding teenager (God, I feel old sometimes); my car broke down; and I painted one “scraper”. The car thing was scary. I stopped for lunch in Big Oak Flat, and when I came out, a huge puddle of green slimy fluid … Read more
I’m off to Yosemite tomorrow to paint for the Gold Country Plein Air show next weekend. Spent the day getting my gear ready. Viewing those nice new piles of paint on my palette, I had to get out and paint at least one! Did this one at one of my favoriate spots, in the foothills … Read more