On the Easel Today

12x9 Color Study 

I am getting started on the underpainting for "Mill Stream Fishermen," a 48" x 36" canvas which will hang in a dining room here in Orange County. I have done a composition in PhotoShop, and a quarter-scale color study. I've sketched the shapes on the canvas with thin paint.

Digital Color Wheel

Gamut Mask

Recently, I bought James Gurney's book, Color and Light. Following his guidelines on Gamut Mapping, I created a digital color wheel in Illustrator that mixes twelve colors with each of their complements to reach neutral gray in the center. I then placed a Gamut Mask over the wheel that limits the colors I will premix and use on the painting. The purpose of this is to create color harmony in the painting, and also stay in harmony with the surroundings where the painting will hang.

It will be fun to see how the painting progresses... stay tuned!

Why do We Love Pets so Much?

Is it those eyes looking up at you with pure adoration? Or the warm softness of their snuggly body? I think we have a loving connection with our dogs, cats, birds (fill in the blank), as much as we do with our families. What do you think?
Learn to paint your pet: Pet Portrait Workshop

"From Heart to Art"

Marley, 2010

I believe in magic. There is something intangible about creating a work of art that thrills my soul and brightens my day. Whether it's a commissioned portrait or a landscape, oil painting starts within and ends up on the canvas. That's what I mean by "from heart to art."
If you're an artist, I'd love to hear how you feel about your creative process.
If you are an art appreciator, what is it that draws you into a work of art?

Polar Express

This portrait was done for a grandmother as a gift to her daughter. The two boys had experienced the Polar Express trip to the Grand Canyon, and this painting was designed to capture the fun.

It was great fun putting all the images together in PhotoShop, and changing things until we were both satisfied with the layout. Only then did the actual painting proceed.

Finished Window Awning

Here's the finished window awning! It's going to look great over the window in the dining room at Jeannie's house. Now I am getting ready to paint the slider awning. It will be the same colors but a slightly different scene. The clear gesso is already applied, so next I will transfer the design to it and start painting!

Awning Progress

The window awning is 3/4 of the way painted. It looks good from across the room. I like the colors and the loose technique with no blending. For this project, the acrylic paint is easier to use than oil would be.

Decorating the Awnings

I have just started working on this awning project which will be installed indoors (it's really a valance that looks like an awning). The photo shows the left side of the 77-inch-wide window awning. There will be another awning of about the same length with a slightly different design for the slider. The acrylic paint dries very quickly! The scene is reminiscent of Tuscany, and the decor in the room reflects Tuscan style. I'll keep you posted on the progress...