Late Showers

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

This small painting captures the late afternoon on the marsh when the clouds build and the rain starts to fall.  The slanting light of the sun captures the green of the marsh against the lavender of late afternoon shower.

 

Gentle Wave Study

 Pastel 6x9 on UArt

For this study, I reduced the image to this one wave on the beach as it was breaking close to shore.  This is a study of color (bright green and blue) and simple form of only one wave.

Sunrise Marsh

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

I made this composition from a composite of other paintings of these palm trees and the marsh.  The sun is just above the horizon, and the mist is beginning to rise.  This time of day and this view of the marsh are infused with expectation for the day ahead.

Stormy Colors

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

The colors of the marsh come alive after a rain.  The wet makes the gold and bronze colors pop out of the green, and the shadows flow richly with purple.

Rusty Num 9

Rusty's Question

Pastel on Pastelmat 6x9

With this pose of Rusty, my goal was to capture his quizzical expression and show his white fur in shadow.  

This is an updated photo posted on 8/16/2024.

This portrait is number 9 of my 20 in 30 days personal challenge. 
 

Cedars and Muhly Grass

Cedars and Muhly Grass

 Pastel on Sanded Paper, 6x9

This quick exercise that started with a "spontaneous" watercolor, and it evolved into this study of cedar trees and muhly grass on the dunes.  As it progressed, it took a life of its own.  In order to correct weaknesses in the basic composition, I added the path, extended the pink muhly grass and moved the cedar tree to the left and back.  I had to abandon much of the native color to get the values and movement in the painting to work.

Unsettled Weather

Unsettled Weather

Pastel 6x9 on Sanded Paper

When the weather changes, the beach takes on its own special wild beauty. As the sun begins to set and the wind picks up, a solitary couple has the beach and the weather to themselves. 

Expectations - Path 5

Pastel on UArt, 6x9

I am always inspired by the early morning fog that saturates the pines and woodlands through which I go.  The trees recede into mist, and the pathway ahead is shrouded in delightful mystery.

Path 1

"Path 1" pastel, 6x9

I have been intrigued by two ideas. The first idea is adding paths, trails, roads, and waterways to my compositions to draw the viewer through the painting.  The second goal is to make my paintings more impressionistic with the use of color, value, and shape; and by reducing my dependence on details.
For this painting, I drew in the path and major shapes, added color for definition, and called the painting complete before adding detail. I have discovered that I do not have to explain every element in the painting thereby increasing the power of suggestion.

Observer

Pastel 6x9

This cardinal comes to out feeder frequently with his made.  While she eats, he seems to be always watching.
To purchase this painting, please visit Daily Paintworks.

Approaching

Pastel, 6x9

As the storm builds and advances, blocking the setting sun, there are few people left on the beach to appreciate the color and drama.
This is a rework of an earlier painting.  My inspiration was the bright white that outlines the clouds when the sun is behind them and the brilliant colors that diffuse through them.
To purchase this painting, visit my web-site - "Approaching"

Timed Study 1 - Rain Coming

Timed Study 1 - Rain Coming, pastel 6x9

This is the first of what I hope will be a series of timed studies in Pastel.  The plan is to limit the time for painting based on the size of the paper - 4 minutes PLUS 1 minute for each 3 square inches of the paper.  In this case the paper is 6x9 - 54 square inches; 54 / 3 = 18. So 4 + 18 = 22 minutes.  It may sound complex, but it works for me.  I also limited my  palette to 16 pieces of pastel, an arbitrary number that seems to be enough to do the work but small enough to make me think about my choices.

I started the project with a simple line drawing on paper of the subject. I am careful at this stage to make sure the proportions of the drawing are the same as the pastel paper I plan to use.

The next step is to draw the basic image/design on the pastel paper with vine charcoal.  I like vine charcoal because it permits me to make corrections and/or erase any part of the image easily with a gum eraser.  

Once I'm, satisfied with the placement of objects and layout, I reduce the charcoal drawing to a "ghost" with the eraser.  I don't want any of the black charcoal bleeding through into the image.

With a concept in mind, I then select my palette keeping in mind the self-imposed limit of 16 pieces.  I make my selections based on color values within families keeping in mind whether the result I want is warm or cool.  For this painting, I selected 2 shades of blue,  3 shades of purple/mauve (warm), 3 shades of green (warm), 3 shades of yellow, 2 orange/pink shades, and one piece of white (warm) which leans toward yellow.

With the paper and pastels in place, I set my timer to 22 minutes and start working.  When the timer goes off, I quit.

As a last caveat, if the timed work has promise, I reserve the right to go back later and "finish" the painting.  I haven't yet decided what to do with this painting.

Late Summer Estuary

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

In this view of the salt marsh estuary, I have used a familiar scene and changed the composition and elements to create a different mood and scene.  This began with a couple of pencil sketches from which I developed this color/value study.  
In the late summer, the salt marsh is almost blindingly green. I need to mute some of that green, but I find that using the complement of green, red, to reduce the "greenishness" of the marsh is too harsh.  In this study, I have toned down the green by using its near complements, orange and purple. 
To purchase this painting, please click on this link - Late Summer Estuary

Nocturne in Blue

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

The full moon paints the dark clouds with light from within.  As Moses wrote, this is "the lesser light to rule the night" (Genesis 1:16).
This painting began as a study in composition.  I am trying to incorporate Edgar Payne's composition patterns that work with the unbroken horizontal lines of the Florida beaches.  My first efforts have been with what Payne calls the "steel yard" composition which is a balance between large and small vertical elements on opposite sides of the painting.  In order to simplify the elements, I selected a moon-lit night scene.  I wanted the clouds to form the two important structures and the reflection of the moon to serve as the fulcrum on which the elements are balanced. 
"Nocturne in Blue" - sold the day it was painted.

Marsh Evening

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 21 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

When evening falls across the marsh, the shadows grow long and purple creeps into the clouds.  The few last rays of sunlight gild the grass as their final gift to the day before making way for the peacefulness of the night.  
This painting is available.  To purchase or make an inquiry, click on "Marsh Evening"

SOLD

Late Walk

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 20 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

As the evening colors begin to show over the broad beach at low tide, a few visitors have come to share their evening in peace and wonder at the end of the day.  The wet sand of the retreating tide leaves a tableau on which the scattered clouds cast their fading reflections.
This painting is available - $95 unframed, with $10 shipping. To purchase this painting, click on the link to "Late Walk."

Stillness

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 19 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

Over the salt marsh, the rain clouds begin to build at the end of the day.  The sea breeze from the east dies away and the clouds begin to move in from the west.  In that stillness, the setting sun paints the clouds with gold and and lavender and mutes some of the bright green of the marsh grass.
Image was replaced 7/14, afternoon.
To purchase this painting, please visit my web page: click here "Stillness"

Storm Front

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 18 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

The summer storm clouds come in lines across the salt marsh.  Between their lines, the sun paints splashes of brilliance that blaze in contrast against the shadows on the marsh and the dark clouds.

To purchase this painting, please visit my web page by clicking on "Storm Front"

Rain Coming

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 17 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

In the summer, the late afternoon rains move in suddenly from the west chasing everyone off the beach.  The sky is reflected in the wet sand left by the retreating tide.
To purchase this painting, please follow the link to my Web Page: Rain Coming.

Piling Up

Pastel, 6x9 on UArt

Number 16 of '21 in 21' Cloud Challenge

In the heat of the mid afternoon, the clouds begin to build and pile on one another with the promise of rain.  The tide is high and the storm's majesty is reflected in the still water.  The heavy haze masks the details and mutes the blazing colors of summer.
To purchase this painting, click here: "Piling Up"