ALONG A COASTAL ROAD

I did this small study when we were in California. Often it is possible to set up along a roadside somewhere and complete a plein air painting without too much distraction. I usually keep these studies of a reasonable size so that it doesn't take me too long to finish them. Also the light changes quite a bit over time so I keep these painting sessions between 1 to 3 hours long. On some occasions I do come back the next day and finish off if necessary but being only a 5" x 7", that was fortunately not needed with this one.
For some reason I couldn't get a good photo of the finished painting and now it is at McBride Gallery where it and others are hanging during the 35th Anniversary exhibition so I'll have to wait till later to try and get a better pic of it. The show runs from June 7th to June 28th and some of the paintings featured on this blog will be shown there.

SUNRISE - EASTERN SHORE FARM

I saw this farm while on the way to Bombay Hook wildlife nature reserve on the Eastern Shore some time ago. We had left home early in the morning and I remember watching the sun come up over the water as we crossed the Bay Bridge. Mist still lay in some hollows here and there and I marveled at the colors of the clouds. A peaceful mood prevailed as another day was born - one that I felt lucky to witness. As with a lot of my work, the painting was worked on for awhile then languished for some time in the corner of my studio, it was only lately that I finally finished it off. I tried to capture the mood of that particular morning so the colors were kept somewhat muted and details only suggested. Size of the work is 12" x 16". Oil on canvas.

GYRFALCON

Started some time ago, I only finished the wing and back section of this work just recently. Although taking quite a bit of time, this study was for me an exercise in creating form, depth and texture. I wanted the drawing to reflect the wonder I have for these large falcons so took care to try and capture details and a likeness. Final size is 6" x 9" - graphite on paper.

YOUNG EAGLE III

Still working on my eagle series of watercolors. This one was painted from a young Bald Eagle, probably about 1 year old. Starting with a relatively detailed pencil drawing that was kept light, a background wash of warm tone was flooded onto the paper. Then it was a case of slowly building up thin washes of color until I felt that I had the essence of the eagle before me. The penetrating stare was a little unnerving but I am sure that I didn't interest the bird quite as much as it interested me! Size is 7" x 5,5" (18cm x 14cm), watercolor on Canson paper.

RED-TAILED HAWK STUDY

At a nearby wildlife rehabilitation center (where I have often taken sick or injured birds and animals) I have noticed a red-tailed hawk that used to be in a cage outside the front door. This bird is not able to be released back into the wild so is often seen during events held at the center during the year where the public can approach more closely and ask questions.
In cases like this with the bird in front of me, I often sketch directly into my sketchbook or do smaller studies on watercolor paper. Then back in the studio, I take more time over a detailed study like the one above, trying all the while to capture something of the essence of these magnificent birds. This watercolor study is on Arches hot pressed paper, size 7" x 11.5". Sold.

FISHERMAN'S ROCK, PART 4

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I have been travelling and have been completely unable to log in to Blogger. Here though is the mostly completed painting. I completed the finishing touches concentrating mostly on the sea and the foreground rock. I also adjusted the values of the main rock, adding a few more details and slightly darkened the rock in the foreground (but I may have to make it a little darker still). The sea was done with  a greenish-grey mixture with a very pale grey over the top to indicate foam  and smaller wavelets etc and that was about it. As is with most of my paintings, this one will be put aside for awhile so I can come back to it with a fresh eye and see if there is anything else that I should do. Fisherman's Rock, oil on canvas, size is 8" x 10".

FISHERMAN'S ROCK, PART 3

I completed the main rock using a darker mix of the existing colors then added raw umber for the area closest to the sea (the splash zone). The foreground rocks were painted in much the same way and allowed to dry. At this point I think that they look a little light so I'll  have to address that later on. I continued with the sea working my way forward but holding off with any details for the moment - everything is just underpainting at this stage. After stepping back and considering the painting from a distance, I realize that the sea will also have to be darker so the work is put aside until the next day to give things a chance to dry off for a bit.