Monday, February 23, 2009

High Lake Sunset (colorist version)

I've painted this image before but in a limited palette of colors. This time I decided to bring out all of the colors and get "colorful".

This lake is up above the community of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra. It's situated on a little plateau overlooking the bulk of the mountains in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It's almost like an island sitting on top of a detached hill. Great Place. (Good fishing, too!)

 

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8x10  oil on board

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Elin Pendleton Workshop

I spent this last weekend (3-day weekend, actually) painting at a workshop presented by Southern California painter Elin Pendleton. It was my second from her and, as expected, very well done. Elin is a great teacher and an fantastic artist. Visit her website or blog for a treat.

Elin has a color management system that's very helpful in maintaining consistency and harmony in a painting. As a series of exercises, we painted several studies based on different times of the day. Here are a few:

Mid-day light
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Back lighting
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Morning light
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Fog / overcast
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Sunday, February 8, 2009

Bow Willow Wash

This is from a photo I took a couple of weeks ago in one of my favorite desert washes out in Anza Borrego State Park. Many of the better known palm groves have burned in recent fires or been damaged. This canyon still has several small groves scattered along a spectacular canyon. Can't wait to go back!

 _MG_0069 - Version 2
11x14 oil on linen board


Here are a couple of steps I remembered to photograph:

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- This is the initial thumbnail sketch for positioning


 DSC_0665
- After a quick drawing, I added some transparent washes to establish the values.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Walk in the Valley

Another gorgeous week in San Diego! This is from a photo I took last weekend during a hike through Daley Ranch near my home in Escondido.

The snow is beautiful but.........

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8x10 Acrylics on board

Monday, January 19, 2009

Dixon Canyon Trail

I'm trying not to rub it in but, Dang! it's gorgeous this weekend in Southern California! (sorry all you -40 degree Easterners!)

Took the painting gear out to a spot not too far from my house where it's already starting to green up a lot. This is a quick study that I hope to work into a larger painting.

 

 _MG_0113 - Version 2
6x8 oil on linen panel