Lighthouse Sunset

Today, I blocked in this oil study of a lighthouse with the setting sun shining thru the lantern windows.  I am happy with the sky, but the water will need some work to be convincing.  I plan to add some curve the lighthouse's tower and some better light shine thru the window.

Lodge Pole Pine Study

So after fighting with the computer I was able to get this on to the blog.  More difficult than it needed to be.  This is a small oil study of Lodge Pole Pine trees in the Rocky Mountains.  I have seen similar scenes like this in Yellowstone National Park and in Rocky Mountain National Park.

James Painting - Part 2

I worked on my painting of my son, James.  I worked on the background, the hair, and worked on defining this facial features.  I will let this rest (i.e. drying time), and I will dry brush some more color in his hair and I will add some small detail to his shirt.

James Painting - Part one

I worked on this oil painting of my son James.  I put in the basic colors and I will work on adding depth and deeper colors inn the face and hair.

Sunset Study

Today's study is a sunset with cirrus clouds.  I did the paint wet on wet, i.e. I mixed the clouds colors together on the canvas.  I will let it rest and I will tweak it a bit tomorrow.

Summer Time Humid Sunrise study

I worked on this quick summer time sunrise oil study.  The humidity is rising in this one.  I will probably add some tweaks to this to add some depth to the foreground and I will work on the foliage.

Summer Cirrus

Sometimes a painting just works in one go.  This study of summer time Cirrus or Mare's Tail clouds came together well and I will not add or change anything on this.  Too bad this does not happen evertime.

Back to the easel - Spruce tree study

Back from a short trip and after catching up on house chores, I worked on this small spruce tree study.  It will need some adjustments but it is all part of the practice needed to improve.

Anniversary

Today is the my 21st Wedding Anniversary.  Since we honeymooned in Taos and Santa Fe, we do a Day of the Dead themed cards.  This is not my original design but it is only for my wife and your viewing.  So Happy Anniversary Barbara.

WIP - Part 2 DRGW Narrow gauge engine

So I did a little to refine the background, cleaned up some lines on the front of the engine and I blended some of the snow plow to make it more pleasing to my eye.  Still a lot of work to do.

WIP - Cumbres & Toltec Engine 487

WIP - Work In Progress, I started the narrow gauge DRGW engine painting a year ago.  I did a very basic block-in and got frustrated.  Which happens a lot, especially lately, sometimes you know what and how you want to paint but, it just does not come out right.  This has been my last week at the 9 to 5 job and in the evenings this week at the easel.  I had mother's day and other "honey dos" to attend to so I only got in a little time on this painting.  I started to add the the background and sharpened some of the edges.  I feel like I have a better idea of where I want to go.  This is not a study, but it is an original of my design and is based off a trip on the Cumbers & Toltec Historical Railroad in Colorado and New Mexico back in 2010.  I have lots of sketches and paintings in me, just need the time to put them on canvas.

Sky and tree study - part one

This is the start of an oil painting, tree and sky study.  I have blocked in the sky and will add the tree after the sky gets tacky instead of full wet paint.

Snowy Maple and Beeches Study

I little throw back to winter study, as I worked in the yard this weekend and did not get much done art wise.  I did work on this little study to continue the practice of throwing paint on canvas.