Resting - WIP

Work in Progress - where I am today

This was a try-this and wipe-it-out kind of day.  I've not gotten as much done today as I wanted to accomplish, but I have made some progress.  Painting larger canvases is a relearning experience for me.  I can remember being able to do certain things, but I can't remember how I did them.  In some ways that can be exciting and stimulating, but in other ways, it is....  Well, it's one of the frustrations I deal with.

Resting - WIP

Wet Paint

Added the main set of waves, worked on color and balance, did a lot of wiping out and repainting to get the mood and sparkle I want.

I took this picture for reference and to stand back and evaluate it.

Resting - Work In Progress

Oil on canvas, 28x22 - Wet Paint

I want this to be a picture that captures the moment from a walk on the beach last winter.  The sun had broken above the low clouds painting the breakers golden on top of the dark water.  Outside the breakers where the water was calm, a flock of pelicans were floating in the sunlight.

This photo was taken without flash. I wanted to see for myself (away from the easel) the color, value, and abstract forms of the waves, horizon, and the sky.

Waiting for the Tide

Oil on canvas; 20x16

These gulls were resting on the beach at low tide.  The flock started with these few, and in a few minutes they had been joined were dozens.  I guess they were waiting for the tide to move and bring in their lunch.

The waves off shore were breaking spectacularly, but by the time they reached the shallow water, their energy and form was all but gone.

Dunes, Talbot Island

Ink & Watercolor on washi; 12x18

I started this painting from sketches and photos last night late. The first step was to do the drawing in ink and finalize the composition.  This morning when the paper was dry, I added the color.

This scene is a view of the dunes that captures the exuberance and organized confusion of nature.

Marsh Pines

Ink on washi; 12x17

Here is a common scene composite of many others.  I needed to complete something for today, and I'm pleased with this one.

Waiting for the Tide

Oil on canvas, 20x16

Work in progress.  This painting is taken from earlier work, reference photos, and drawings.  I'm to the place now I need to do the details of the gulls and the remaining foreground.  Still working on placement and composition.

Odd Fellows

Ink on kozo; 9.5x12

This painting was done with ink only - working with different intensities of the ink for effect.  The paper is inexpensive, very absorbent, and sometimes difficult to manage.  As it tries my patience, it forces me to concentrate on the process of applying the brush to the paper.

Two Friends

Ink on hosho; 9.5x12

After a day of running and other obligations, at about 9:30 I was able to get to my studio.  I had to try out some new sumi brushes.  I didn't know how worn out my old ones had gotten.  I like the result, but the lighting was bad, the battery on my camera was giving out, had no flash, picture is not the best....  I'll take a better one in the morning, but I wanted to post something tonight.

Sunday, May 08, 2011 - I took another picture in daylight and replaced the one from last night.  Thus it goes....

December Road

Pastel on UArt 21x15

This painting won Honorable Mention at the Spring Show - JCVA (Jacksonville Coalition for the Visual Arts).

Sea oats and Gaillardia

Ink & Watercolor on kozo 12x18

In this painting, I added some splashes of color to indicate the ubiquitous gaillardia among the golden sea oats.

This photo was taken in available light. A better photo will replace it in the morning.