Landscape and Urban Sketching

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Last Sunday's Plein Air group decided on an urban site. Instead of my paint set-up, 

I'd brought a sketchbook and drawing materials, planning on doing 

some research for a new project.

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When doing on-location sketching of this type, I usually go for 

simplicity and quick studies, but...

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...this intricate scene caught my eye. The planned research sketching went right out the window.

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The complexity was a bit daunting, but decided to interpret the scene while 

capturing much of the detail.

 

Materials: Kona Classic toned paper sketchbook, Verithin Colored Pencil (Scarlet), 

Pentel Brushpen, Pilot Hi-Tech-C Pen (03), Uniball Signo (for white).

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

New Mornings

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Detail of crow skull study

I'm an early-riser; that's just a fact, not some badge of honor. But it does let me get a lot done, especially if I have a plan in place.

My old mornings:

1. Grab coffee

2. Grab laptop and do social media

3. Grab an art book and look through it

4. Start painting in the studio

My new mornings:

1. Grab coffee

2. Grab still life object(s) and paint a one-hour study

3. Start painting in the studio

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Some of the studies so far

They are small--the largest is 4" x 5.25"--so I can pretty much finish them (or not) in an hour.
Will this became a habit? Gonna try to make it so. I'm not much of a rule-bound or goal-oriented person, but if I find something that fits, I'll wear it out. So far this seems to fit.

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Set-up I used for the first crow skull study

 I'm using a darkened basement room instead of my studio for this:

 A. Because I can leave all the materials there without them being in the way in the studio, and 

B. Because it's always dark down there.

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Details of two studies

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Set-up I used for the bottle study

 I read about using a box like this on an internet site for still lifes. Not sure I see the point--but I will keep trying it out. The slot in the top is for controlled lighting--I can cover it partially or all the way with cardboard. If anyone reading this knows what the advantage of this kind of set-up is, please let me know, as it's escaping me.

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Detail of lantern study

I'm drawing them first--so far at least. For this study I used a black watercolor pencil for the initial drawing; for the crow skull and bottle I used a red Colerase pencil. No real reason for either--just trying things out. I used a 1/4" flat for most of the paint, changing to a round if necessary for tiny details. I'm keeping the sessions to an hour, even if I don't quite finish them. And when the weather warms, my plan is to do same but with one-hour landscape studies as well.

Also, so far, I've only used Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and white to mix up neutrals. I def want to eventually go with color, but I'm in no rush.

I do miss my art books, but not the social media.

Thanks for reading!

Two Things

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A two-part post this week; 

containing this goofy (and rather stiff) anthropomorphic pencil swatting at a dip-pen dragonfly...

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...and this detail of a fun, original painting that is being offered at auction to benefit one of my favorite organizations; the Denver Young Artists Orchestra

 

I can't say or write enough about how mesmerizing and professional the young musicians of the DYAO are. We enjoy their concerts year after year and continue to be blown away by the full and gorgeous classical music they produce. 

 

I'm excited to support them in any way I can!

My music-themed piece is an original; permanently mounted on 1" deep cradled birch, and carefully varnished with a rich and glossy UV protective coating. This artwork needs no frame--it's ready to hang or stand on a shelf or table in your home! Click on this link to see the whole piece:

The Wake-Up Call

If you've been watching the fantastic Mozart in the Jungle, you know that the production is doing an excellent job portraying the excitement and joy, and also the despair and difficulties inherent in being a musician (or truly, any artist or creative). Despite the challenges, the arts continue to flourish; in a big way thanks to benefactors, patrons, donations, and fund-raisers. 

 

So please, nurture all the arts, and the dedicated young musicians of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Check out their auction and if you can, support them by participating. In addition to my artwork, there are many fine items to consider.

 

Thanks very much for your support of the arts--especially Young Artists!