Mountain Clouds

This is a blocked in start of a Mountain Cloud study.  I will continue to refine the clouds and the foreground.  This is a pretty typical scene from the Colorado Mountains.

Winter Tree

I messed around today with a Winter Tree against a pumpkin sky.  I had roughed in the sky previously and let it dry.  I added the basic framework of the branches today.  I will add some more branches and I will add some stumbled (Dry brush light pigment) in foliage to complete this study.

Plein Air - Sand Point State Park Boat basin

This is a small oil sketch done Plein Air (outside in one sitting) at Sand Point State Park boat basin.  I did this back in November in about 2 hours.  I set up an easel on one of the docks.  I was with Rob Brennan, another painter from  New Jersey.  The weather cooperated and was not too windy, which is usually the biggest problem painting in the great outdoors, though not the only problem.  Bugs, dogs, wind, rain and snow all make it a challenge.  The skill from observing from life and painting is one of the most important for improvement and development.

Navajo Horsemen

This is an ink sketch of Navajo Horsemen.  It is modeled after the work of Don Perceval, he has a great series of ink and watercolor sketches from the Desert Southwest.  Happy Friday Evening.

Meadow study

This is a small meadow study in oil paint.  It is a decent start but it will need some work and refinement before I will be happy with it.

Wind Blown survivor tree

This is an oil sketch not an original design but, its a practice piece of a wind blown survivor tree.  I may make some adjustments on it but it is a good exercise and something I need to do more of in the coming days.

Atmospheric Perspective part 2

I have been doing a lot of drawing but not enough painting.  I have taken some art classes and I have not been satisfied with the results so I have decided to paint more.  This is an initial lay in of the colors for a mountain scene.  It has the basic depth but will need some additional work in the ridge lines and I plan to work the rock cliffs with detail and closer trees which will have more than blue for color.  Stay tuned to see the improvements as they come in the coming weeks.