School pencils are rated #1, #2 and #3. It is a different rating system, one which I haven’t researched because I am a pencil artist, not a student nor a school teacher. #3 is really hard, and it is horrible if you are writing on a soft surface such as a math workbook. #1 is […]
Pencil Explanation, Part Two
Pencils are made from a blend of graphite and clay. If they have more clay, they are harder and lighter. If they have more graphite, they are blacker and softer. H is for Hard, B is for Black. I don’t get why those two are considered opposites in Pencil World. (Hey Pencil Manufacturers, tune in […]
Pencil Explanation, Part One
When I began drawing, I only used the Turquoise brand. Or it might have been called Eagle or Berol or Sanford. They keep buying each other out, and sometimes these graphite pencils now say “Prismacolor” despite the fact that they are all shades of gray. The outer paint color remains turquoise, so I’ll just call […]
The Show Opened and It Is Good
Images of Home Tulare Historical Museum Tulare County art (oil paintings) by a California artist There is a level of apprehension to a show opening. It may be a regular occurrence for all artists, or it may just be unique to me. Some of the unreasonable thought that go through my head sound like this: […]
Images of Home
From 5:30 – 7 p.m. tonight is the opening reception for “Images of Home”, a solo show of my oil paintings. Sixty of them. Many have not been shown yet. Are you even half as excited as I am? Never mind, don’t answer that. I am a California artist, but instead of representing the entire […]
The Big One is Finished!
Remember Ross Perot saying “Measure twice, cut once”? Lots of other people have probably said the same thing, but I remember him the best. Well, good thing a canvas doesn’t require cutting after (not) measuring. Remember my 864 square inch painting? Today I actually measured it and it is only 720 square inches! All that […]
And more links to learning to draw
Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Morro Rock When I was growing up in Tulare County, I thought the only real beach, the beachest of all beaches, was Newport in Orange County. In fourth grade, we took a field trip to Mission San Miguel and then went to […]
More Links to Learning
If you are here, I’m guessing you have finished the first 8 drawing lessons and are ready for more. Help yourself – I love to teach people how to draw! Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Cajon Pass My maternal grandfather, Eugene B. Maise was […]
Odd Jobs
My friend Nadi has just finished painting a window. You can see her fabulous work here: Blue Window 4 I have just begun painting one. Literally, not figuratively. (The subject is California poppies, because, as you know, I am a California artist.) I started it on the wrong side, because messing up is often my […]
Please, Spring, Last Forever!
It seems as if Spring is the whole point of the seasons. The rest are just preparatory or resting stages. Spring is the Real Deal, the goal, the objective, the reason, the. . . I’m out of synonyms. I love spring and this has just been the Best. Thank you God for this incredible Spring […]