From the coast

Some recent coastal sketches, all are quick little 5x7's done on site, except the gouache sketch in the mini moleskine, where I'm trying to put into practice the limited palette techniques (three colors plus white) I picked up in the Wyoming workshop.

Summer sketches

Just trying to keep in practice before I hit the road for a painting/workshop roadtrip to Jackson Wyoming : ) Mostly 6x8's and a few 5x7's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not plein air, but Toby is too cool to leave out!

Christmas Lambchop

I did this little portrait of my friend Dana's dog Lambchop for him for x-mas. Ain't she a sweetie?

Lambchop 5X7 O/P

Sketchy

Rainy weather sketching in the little moleskine. The first one here is an exploration in color and composition of an old oil painting I did of some Monterey pines out at Baker Beach in San Francisco. I liked the basic idea, but something about it just didn't sit well with me. I'll do another larger oil version based on this gouache composition sketch. The second was trying to capture some other pines near the Legion of Honor. The rainy day created a nice misty and mysterious feeling in the trees that I found appealing.

 Both are watercolor and gouache in my mini watercolor moleskine. I found some new found inspiration in this medium from a workshop I took given by the amazing Erik Tiemens. Coincidentally, I just went to a gallery opening last night featuring Erik, and another favorite (and all around nice guy) Terry Miura at the Holton Studio Gallery down the street from me. If you're in the area (even if you're not!) you owe it to yourself to see these gorgeous paintings in person, the web just can't do them justice.

From the hills

Just a quick sketch so I could get home to watch game 3 of the World Series (from a few weeks ago. Go giants!) 

Mt Diablo from the Seaview trail. 6X8 O/P

More from the Valley

Two more little sketches from the Valley

 Last light along the Merced 6X8 O/P

 

Leaving the Valley  6X8 O/P

Postcard from the Valley

Sure it's a cliche painting, but sometimes a view like this is just irresistible. One of a few scenes I did when my sister Lisa (also a painter) came out to visit. She had never been to Yosemite, and we both had a blast painting in the perfect weather.

Valley view 8X10 O/P