Cape May Lighthouse Nocturne - the start

I worked on this oil painting today with Armand Cabrera, in his art class at the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts, in Great Falls, VA.  It is always a pleasure to paint with Armand.  He is a great Painter and great teacher.  Every artist faces problems when they try to convert the three dimensional world into tow dimensions of paint and canvas.  Every time I paint with Armand, I can see the improvement.  He helps me when I get stuck, spots problems before they ruin a painting, and he helps we produce some of my best art, the stuff which really moves me forward.  This painting is done from a photo and sketch notes I took during a visit to Cape May in the early summer.  I will finish it up tomorrow with some small tweaks and adjustments.

Colorado, Fall in the Foothills - the block-in

I was in art class today with Armand Cabrera at the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts.  This is the first painting I worked on it the morning.  This is from a photograph I took in the foothills of Colorado near Denver.  I will need to add some branches and foliage to the Cottonwood trees and the grasses in the foreground will need some attention, but it is a good start.

Eastern White Pine Sketch

I have been fighting off a cold, so not much artwork.  I did work on this pencil sketch of the Eastern White Pine.  Its part of the practice to continue the evolution of skills.

Monterey Cypress Pine Sketch

I did this sketch of a Monterey Cypress Pine.  If you ever get to California near Monterey and 17 Mile Drive, you will see these trees and they are impressive and unique.

BuffleHead Duck sketch - close-up

I worked on the BuffleHead duck.  I am happy with the bird, but I want to change the background to add a  more green tine and to improve the movement in the waves.  Below is the original block-in and the top is the modified bird.

Wild Horse Sanctuary - finished

I finished up the Wild Horse Sanctuary painting today.  It is from South Dakota and is not too far from Mt. Rushmore.  It is well worth the visit if you get out that way.  These horses are on the "Wild Side of the Sanctuary.  They had been looking down on HQ building and then decided they had seen enough and galloped off.

Parachute Sunset - Part 2

I cleaned up some in the studio and then reworked the sky to give it a more transitional sky for this sunset.   After in drys I will add the parachutist silhouettes coming in to land at the drop zone.  Have a great weekend.