This year’s calendar is photographs of Mineral King from the odd and beautiful summer of 2023. “Odd” because the damaged road limited access to only a handful of intrepid cabin folks, but not the public. (Stay safe, all y’all, but you cabin folks are on your own.) “Beautiful” because the winter had been phenomenal, with […]
Best or Worst Critic?
“You are your own worst critic” is something I hear from time to time. That is actually a positive trait, because who else is going to be completely honest to help me improve my work? Today’s post is one to help me think about how to make this painting be the best possible. This painting […]
Short Glimpse of Fall Color in Three Rivers
Fall in Three Rivers is often late, subtle, or hidden in smoke. Most of the trees are evergreens, whether a variety of oaks or even some conifers. Some of the deciduous trees are also oaks, and they simply have green leaves that fall off without any hooplah. That doesn’t stop me from hunting fall color. […]
Great Western Divide
The Great Western Divide is the name given to the ridge of peaks seen from the top of Moro Rock in the Sierra Nevada. On this side, water drains west and on the other side, it drains east . I haven’t painted this before, at least not from this view. The mountains show in the […]
Old Drawing Leads to Family Reunion
This blog post is just a short report on a personal topic. Trail Guy and I attended a 99th birthday party for his great uncle. The invitation came over the phone, so I didn’t hear the address or the time. I knew Great Uncle lived next door to a friend’s house, which I drew a […]
Land of Fruit and (no) Nuts
Yesterday you learned the term “glazing” for building a painting in layers. Now let’s look at glazing some fruit. This was a little tricky. I started with a photo, then started rearranging and adding more fruit so that there was more color. I kept gathering more photos, trying to make this look believable but also […]
Slowly Building a Painting in Layers
The ArtSpeak word for slowly building paintings with layers is “glazing”. You’re welcome. This might be finished. The photo on the left was taken in the afternoon; the one on the right was taken the next morning. I’m hard-pressed to tell you which is more accurate.
Is That All You Did Today??
Why, yes, indeed it is. Wait, nope, I spent yet another hour on the phone with someone whose main phrase was, “Yes Ma’am”, as she tried to figure out AGAIN why my new phone won’t work. Or wait, is it the new SIM card? Perhaps it is the new provider? See a pattern here? It […]
Slow Progress on Five New Paintings
This next painting is a commission. I am combining multiple photos, trying to somewhat match a looser painting that the customer admired, but wanted in my detailed style. Because it is of wildflowers, I have lots of reference photos to work from. It is fun to use bright colors, in this and in the fruit […]
Back to Giant Forest or Too Many People
I went to Sequoia National Park twice in October because this place attracts people from all over the world, and it is ONLY ONE HOUR FROM THREE RIVERS!! I don’t go very often because we go to Mineral King, another fabulous part of Sequoia. But when Mineral King isn’t accessible, why not go to the […]