Family Affair - Part 3

So its been a long week, so I return to the family affair pieces.  My Dad did this western themed pen and ink back in the early 1960.  It's an old school look at a Ruger revolver which will be powerful enough to stop or at least scary that bear in the background.

Buffalo

More Western theme art.  I did this quick watercolor sketch of Buffalo or American Bison a few years back.  It was more of an experiment.  If you get the chance, check these American Icons out.  There are herds all over the western US.  I have seen them in Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma, and Wyoming in Yellowstone National Park.  Just be careful them will gore you if you violate their space and they can stomp you, so respect the beast, its there field or stream too.  

Trout Flies

One of my childhood memories was of trout fishing in Colorado.  My parents owned a cabin in northern Colorado and we would spend time there and fished.  Occasionally, I sketch trout flies like these above.  I don't remember these flies's names but I know the bottom two are a Salmon egg fly and a midge fly.  I actually sketched these from memory while waiting in the theater to see the movie, Avatar.  I liked the sketches better than the movie.

Pintails

This is a Birthday card for the son-in-law, who is an avid duck hunter.   Today is his birthday and actor William Shatner's birthday, too.  Which in my mind makes for interesting comparisons.  These are two pintail ducks done in the style of artist Thomas Quinn.  I used watercolor pencils, which go on dry, but then can be wetted with a brush and the color acts like a watercolor.  So Happy Birthday, Spencer.

SeaGull

Happy Friday, have a simple pen and ink wash sketch of a SeaGull hovering for the catch of the day.  This seems like how I spend the work week as a wage slave.  Enjoy your weekend.

Tribute to Hopper - from way back, like 23 years ago.

I did this Acrylic painting when I was 15 years old in my first year High School art class.  This painting was originally done by the artist, Edward Hopper. I wanted to be Edward Hopper, he is most well known for his painting called NightHawks.  I liked the colors and the steam engine.  Hopper's painting is far superior to this but Hopper taught me about composition and color from his painting.  I gave this to my Grandfather as a present since he loves trains.   Copying from other artists is only ok to learn techniques from them.  This one will stay in the family since it is not an original.

White Throated Sparrow

More Bird Sketches, this is a colored pencil sketch of a White Throated Sparrow.  They are a common visitor to our yard in Maryland.  So next time you see the small gray bird, pay attention because there are little colorful varieties flitting about the countryside.