The plan was to finish the 10×30” commissioned oil painting of the two redwood trees. When I set up in the painting workshop, it looked too hard and too big and too daunting. So I indulged in some productive procrastination, opting instead to finish the plein air painting of the pumpkin field. This meant that […]
Back to Work, Central Calfornia Artist
With two Giant Sequoias to paint, I chose to finish, nay, ALMOST finish the painting I started in Gilroy. Why not the Sequoia paintings first? Because I missed Mrs. Texas after spending so much time together. I think it might need a blossom or two and better definition on the closer leaves. Because I was […]
Don’t Be Scared—I Can Make These Look Good
Sequoias, Redwoods, Big Trees, Sequoia gigantea—all these words mean the trees which gave Sequoia National Park its name. Paintings of these trees sell very steadily to the visitors in our area. Sometimes it feels a little boring to keep painting the same things over and over. When that feeling comes upon me, I think of […]
Will the Fat Lady Sing?
Who is the fat lady? Sometimes I sing for my drawing students, not well, and we all laugh. What am I yammering on about? The drawing of Texas, which is too large for my scanner, so the upper edge is nipped off and the lower edge is blurry. But first, let’s look at the scratchy […]
Just Another Work Day for Your Central California Artist
Painting To postpone two difficult tasks, I started this 10×30” commissioned oil painting, following the sketch which the customer approved. Just Plain Work This part didn’t warrant any photos. Some friends from Southern California went to my show, bought a drawing, and then hit a snag and couldn’t return to pick it up. I took […]
And Another Commissioned Pencil Drawing
Same customers, similar approach, different state. This new pencil commission is looking across a driveway at a vineyard with the Sierra* in the distance. The customers provided current photos of the view, but now the vineyard is gone and almond (or peach? plum? nectarine?) trees are in their place. So, I went exploring on the […]
Instruct me, Please
When working on custom art, which involves combining multiple photos and verbal or written instructions, there must be much communication. My customers for the Texas drawing said to lower the bluebonnets to keep them inside the fence, since if they are outside the fencing, the cattle eat them. I keep accidentally thinking of the bluebonnets […]
More From the Drawing Table
When we last looked at this challenging pencil commission of a Texas scene, it looked like this. When I don’t know where to begin, I just pick something that is somewhat concrete, something with a photo to follow, rather than work on the things I have to make up. So, distant trees, grass, and tractor. […]
Back at the Drawing Table
I told you that I have a very challenging drawing commission. Well yippee skippee, I finally had a pair of minutes to concentrate on the project. It is almost more of a design problem than an is-this-even-possible problem, like those tiny faces back in the winter. (Visible as Item #10 on Ten New Things Learned […]
Did You Think I Was On Vacation?
In case you were wondering if all I do is yammer on about the beach or Mineral King, let me remind you that I am a working artist. Sure, maybe I’m only working part time these days, but I AM working. Here’s a list of upcoming projects (remembering that until money exchanges hands, it is […]