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.

Pasadena Landmarks

Here are two recent paintings of the Green Hotel, and the Pasadena City Hall. They both started out as full size sheet paintings and were done a few years ago. I wasn't happy with them so last weekend I cropped them down, added some pen work, and enhanced the colors. 

New Book Cover Painting

This is a painting I just completed for Many Moons Press about Charles Francis Saunders, a naturalist who spent a lot of time in the mountains of Southern California.

The Gamble House

This is an 11" x 14" painting of the Gamble House in Pasadena. I used watercolor, pen and ink, and gouache on 140# Arches hot press paper. It will be for sale at Galerie Gabrie in Pasadena.

Arlington Garden

Here is some recent work done this past weekend: The top image is a painting of the Arlington Garden in Pasadena. Below that is my folding metal Holbein palette after the session. I did a few previous attempts that I was not happy with, which are shown in the third image. And finally some study sketches.

Mood Sketches

These sketches were done from photo reference for the purpose of exploring different moods, lighting conditions and feelings. The original photographs were taken in the middle of the day, when the light is very ordinary. After blocking out the shapes and line work with pencil and pen, I experimented with different colors to suggest early morning sun and moon light. Working small, in a sketchbook, allows me to be bold with color and not be concerned with detail, or making a final perfect painting.

Using Quick Studies to Design a Painting

This series of images shows the process I sometimes use in developing the composition and values for a painting. I like to have a strong value pattern of lights and darks, and preparing these small studies helps me keep on track as I work on the final painting. When I am unsure of where to go next (or what color/value to use), I consult the sketch.

I usually start small with a pencil thumbnail sketch to block out the big shapes and values, then proceed to a small color version, sometimes using pen and ink. From there I prepare a larger version, usually in color. I begin to familiarize myself with the subject and note any details I want to add. After all of this preliminary work, I tackle the final version.

Even though I have theoretically resolved everything, I still leave a lot of room for change and for the "painting to work itself out on the paper" as Robert E. Wood said.