Weekend in the Studio

I was able to spend most of last weekend in the studio. I finished a commission of a craftsmen house in pasadena, worked on a city scape of downtown San Diego, and tuned up a few demonstration paintings I had lying around: a church in Whittier, the Colorado Street Bridge, and the Pasadena Playhouse. I have done these subjects before, but always find some new enjoyment in trying them again.

When the weather permits, I work out on the patio, which is a great way to paint. All of these works are 14" x 20", and done on 140# bright white, Fabriano cold press paper.

Afternoon at Huntington Gardens

We were at the Huntington a few Saturdays ago, and as usual, I brought my small Aquabee sketchbook just in case. I was rewarded with a few sketching opportunities as you can see here.

These were all very quick studies, done in ten minutes or less, with a Sanford Uniball pen. I tried to capture the big picture - the main shapes and values, without regard to any details. I find it is easy to get wrapped up in the little things, and miss the primary inspiration.

I took a few reference photos, although I really didn't need to as I was able to remember the colors easily. I added color to all of the sketches later in my studio. This was a good time of practice: eye/hand coordination; sketching on the go; value; composition; and painting technique.

Recent Sketchbook Work

Here is some recent sketchbook work ti illustrate the variety (and randomness) of my subject matter. These are quick, ten second value studies done for the painting of the Pasadena Playhouse during a watercolor class at Swain's Art Store.

Here is a pen and ink sketch of the Green Hotel done from Central Park. 

This was done on the deck while enjoying a nice cigar.

This is the fourth study sketch for a commission I am struggling with.

These are small abstract studies, done to loosen up before doing some real work.

Houses and trees from across the canyon.

Waiting in line at the car wash.

Another cigar time on the deck.

Two sketches while at the Huntington.

Some Recent Work

Here is some recent work from the sketchbook. I was at the Getty Center a few weeks ago and did a few quick sketches of the beautiful architecture there. The drawings were done on site, and painted later in the studio.

Next is a study sketch of a scene at the Pasadena City Hall that I did for a commissioned watercolor I am working on.

Below that is a quick study of the Green Hotel, done from Central Park in Pasadena last Sunday night while waiting for the film festival to begin.

I taught two workshops last weekend at Swain's Art Store in Glendale. I took a photo of my demonstration painting: the Pasadena Playhouse.

Finally, a 5" x 7" study sketch of the Redlands Valley Sunset, done for my class at the Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre.

Saturday in The Park with the Mid Valley Art League

I participated in the annual Saturday in the Park with the Masters event a few weeks ago. At the top is a sketch of the antique paint box I used, and directly above is my set up for the day.

This is my first subject, the auditorium and the administration building. I did a quick study sketch in my Aquabee sketchbook to block out the composition and establish the values.

Here is the final version, done on 14" x 20" Fabriano cold press watercolor paper. I used pencil and watercolor, then came back with water soluble pen and white gouache to finish it up and give it some texture.

Here is the second painting of the day: a view looking south under the trees. 

Watercolor West

Here are two recent paintings. The top one is another try at the Hillside Houses scene which I have painted frequently. The bottom one is of the Colorado Street Bridge by moonlight, and is a modification of a painting I posted last month in which I added some more darks and some accent reds throughout.

The unique thing about these two is that I did not use pen and ink, or white paint. They were done with light pencil lines and transparent watercolor only. I did these specifically for the Watercolor West Annual Show, which requires the use of the medium expressed transparently. 

Reworking Paintings

I try not to throw away a painting that I am not happy with for at least a few months. That gives my time to look at it and reflect upon it, to see if there is any way to save it. These few were in storage for a years. I brought them out this past weekend, and seeing them with fresh eyes, I was able to figure out what they needed.

Sometimes a bad painting needs a good cropping. The top one started out as a half sheet horizontal and is now a vertical 11" x 14". In addition to cropping, it needed some serious color reworking and some softening. The second one just needed a lighter touch with the color, which I did with titanium white paint throughout. The bridge moonlight scene just need a slight color adjustment.

I am still working on the bottom one. I am adding more pen work, more shadows, and some white highlights. This one also benefited from a good, stiff cropping from a half sheet to a quarter.

Pasadena Home

Here are three studies and the final painting of a home in Pasadena. The study sketches were done in my Aquabee 6" x 9" Sketchbook. The final 14" x 20" painting was done on 140 lb. Arches hot press paper.

View from Redwood House

Hillside houses and trees in the San Rafael Hills of Pasadena, California.

Pen and watercolor on Fabriano watercolor paper.

Some New Watercolors

Here are some recent paintings. The top two are of the Vista del Arroyo as seen from the roof.

Below that is a reworked sketch of the City Hall in Santa Barbara.

Lastly, a mid-century modern house in Pasadena.