I've been known to drive many, many miles to find something to paint but today I didn't have the use of my truck so I slung my backpack and walked across the street (and down a few houses) and wandered off into a vacant lot. Normally, I don't pay too much attention to this spot but with everything still so green from all the rain we've had, I found this cool old tree.
9 x 12 oil on linen panel
To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith
I’m not sure what these flowers are but I used this photo I took at Valley of Fire to do a quick little study. This regional park is located about an hour north of Las Vegas.
I’m working through several photos of this particular canyon with hopes that I can put together a larger studio piece.
4 x 5 pastel on sanded paper
With another small storm coming in I decided to take a drive out to the desert to see what's left of the wildflower bloom. I also wanted to break in my newest Hielman backpacker pastel box.
Right now the bright yellow brittlebush is everywhere. In fact, it was so evident that I decided that, like fall foliage, it might be too much to try and capture it (see photo below).
So, I found a lone little group of flowers hiding in the rocks. I’m always amazed at the life you can find in the desert.
8 x 10 pastel on Wallis paper
To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith
What a great place to set up. That's the Hielman box and easel on my carbon fiber tripod. Wonderful setup!
Lots of Yellow!
Yep, another perfect day in Southern California. I was going to stay home and work in the studio but it was sooo nice that I decided to take my new Heilman Backpacker pastel box and easel out for a spin.
It was starting to a get a little warm so I setup under a large oak tree and worked on some interesting rocks that were piled up by the shore of Lake Wohlford.
9 x 12 pastel on Uart paper
To purchase this painting please contact: Randall Smith
Here’s the quick watercolor underpainting:
I got real antsy at work yesterday so I grabbed my sandwich and a little box of pastels and drove to a regional park for a bite and a draw. Boy, pastels can get messy. I'm sure glad I ate my sandwich first!
4 x 4 pastel on Wallis paper
