Here is a series of images from a watercolor workshop I taught at the San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center in Tarzana. It was a two-day workshop, demonstrating the use of the sketchbook, making value and composition studies to develop the design, and how to paint the final version, using pencil, pen and watercolor to make a loose and expressive scene. I used a Holbein sketchbook for all of my studies, and Fabriano 140# cold press watercolor paper for all of the finished work.
The first painting is of two cabins in Crystal Cove, the next scene is of a white cottage near the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena, the third painting is of the Vista del Arroyo in Pasadena, and finally, a quick sketch of the Pasadena Playhouse. All of the final paintings are 14" x 20".
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.
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.
I completed the tree abstract this weekend. It is large: 3' x 4', and is done in acrylic on a stretched Fredrix canvas. I started with a series of small gouache studies in my sketchbook before progressing to a larger 11" x 14" abstract study done on gesso'd 300# Montval watercolor paper. I painted a series of color swatches in my sketchbook, in order to determine the correct acrylic colors to use to replicate the gouache palette. The red was used to create a deeper green shadow in the foreground. From this I developed the final painting, working in the studio as it was raining on and off all day.
I am calling it an abstract, but it is more accurately an impressionistic painting of windblown trees on a hillside on a warm spring day.
A quick sketch of Honolulu from the summit of Diamond Head, some sketches of our hotel, the entrance to the Dole Plantation, and the flight home.
Some sketches on the beach of Waikiki, a fish taco stand, and a deserted stretch of pure white sand, blue water, fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze.
We arrived late in the day, and after getting the shuttle to our hotel, checking in and having dinner, the sun had gone down. I only had time to do a few night sketches from our chairs on Waikiki Beach.
