1000th post

I started this blog about four years ago after the death of my stepson, James.  It was and a is a way to honor him and to remind me to seize each day and to do something with each one.  I don't always post each day but I come pretty close.  This is a scratchboard moon.  Scratchboard is a white clay applied to a board and then covered with a black paint/layer.  You scratch the surface and expose the white clay.  This is part of a bigger project which I will be showing in the days to come.  Some of my James art is below.

Portrait study

I blocked in this portrait study. This is not an original but it is a way to practice on painting faces and heads.  This is the start and then I will go in and add the half tones and the rest of the facial structure.

Ear Study

Happy Friday, i worked on another black and white study, this time of the ear. It is okay, but hey that is the point, keep practicing and practicing until you get it right and can do it easily and with mastery.

Mouth and Nose study

More of the face studies in black and white oil paint.  A simple exercise in quick practice of drawing with a brush.

Nose Study

I worked on a Nose study in Black and white oil.  Without eyes this is a little scary and creepy.

Eye Oil study

After a little break, I am back and should be more consistent in my posting.  I did this oil study of an eye in black and white paint today.

Autumn Monarch - closer

I worked on this one this evening.  I added some foliage and worked the elk trying to make it better. The foliage on the right is probably good.  I want to dry brush with just a little pigment on the elk to get better shapes and face definition.  The background foliage and the grass needs a few adjustments to get it were it needs to be for a complete painting.