It is a small world. While getting ready to paint in Highland Lakes, Tina's uncle told me I needed to visit the Expeditionary Art website because the artist, Maria Coryell-Martin, does some cool nature watercolors. I already knew about the site because T had bought me my first (and second) Pocket Palette from Maria. In addition, Maria was very generous with her time and expertise. She provided her insights and advice to me while I was preparing to buy artist grade watercolors (Daniel Smith). Here is my first painting using the Pocket Palette and new paints on site.
Why is it a small world? Well, it turns out T's cousin went on the same expedition as Maria. In fact, Maria even did a watercolor portrait of her cousin in watercolors (it is a really cool and unique piece).
Here is my sketch of small lake where T's aunt and uncle live using, of course, my Pocket Palette and Daniel Smith watercolors!
Here are some old sketches in pencil from 1987. I cannot remember who the girl in the middle was but major points to anyone who can name the political figure at the bottom.
Typically, there is a rush and feeling of contentment when I finish a painting or drawing. This feeling quickly diminishes and is replaced by the thoughts of my Inner Critic, whom always finds some fault or error to plague my peace of mind. However, a full 24 hours later and I still really like this painting of the old stone bridge that leads into the Duke Farms. This is my best effort at a robust use of light/dark contrast .
One of the nice things about painting on location is that you get to meet all kinds of interesting people who ask if they can watch you paint. On Saturday, I felt like an exhibit at the zoo, with a parade of people coming by, to what I thought was a remote spot (the bridge may be the main entrance, but I had never saw anyone walk down its slopes before to sit where I did for the painting). All in all, it was a fun day to paint.
I found some old sketch books going through some boxes. And since I am not on Facebook, I do not get the opportunity to participate in Throw Back Thursdays. So, for the month of August, I will be posting my version of TBT. Some of these might have been posting years ago while others will be posted for the first time.
Both of these pencils sketches are from the late 80's and early 90's, a time where my predominant medium, almost exclusively, was simple pencil. At this time I was highly influenced by Frank Miller's Ronin, and the highly stylized cross-hatching technique he employed. While the cross hatching in these are more mundane, they were a departure from what I had been doing: using the sides of a No. 2 pencil to shade and shadow. Later, in college when I began to experiment in color pencils and mix media, I would use a more minimalist and economical line work.
The goal of this painting was to utilize the transparent nature of watercolors to do layers of color, one on top of the other. For the most part, the goal was achieved. The yellows, raw sienna, quin orange and new gamboge all play nicely together, making the scene rather tranquil, despite the dark, stormy blue sky (in blue apatite genuine).
But it is the foreground, with its wild grass and namesake drift wood, that gives this painting a greater degree of depth than I normally achieve. It was also one of the most fun area to paint.
