The Story Behind a Painting

I start this painting with a sketch using bold colors. I put in the main elements. I want to show brushwork, keep it loose and portray the feeling of the big mountain.
This view of the mountain is from inside Denali National Park. There is a road that appears to lead toward the mountain. At this [...]

Painting Plein Air with the Pochade

It’s April and it’s spring!
The small pochade box makes it easy to grab and do a quick watercolor of the landscape.
There is still a little snow on the ground but it is warm in the morning sun.

It’s great to be able to paint outside easily again without the watercolor freezing on the brush.

The snow is [...]

It is Four Below Zero, Time to Think About Warm Ocean Sunsets

It’s four below zero at my studio. Seems like a good time to be painting an ocean sunset. i’ve been cooking on some painting ideas from what I saw a few weeks ago in Florida. I love sunsets and watching the sun set on the ocean is a wonderful treat. I’ve got photos and images [...]

Silver Forest

Frost has silver plated the trees.
Every branch is covered.
No shadows in the treasure of this solemn forest because the sun is hidden.
Quiet tones
No bright whites, no deep darks
Only silver middle tones reflecting off each other.
Waiting.
I am staring at the beauty of this forest. The colors and textures seem so unreal. I know it won’t last [...]

Doubt Cramps Energy

“To believe is to be strong. Doubt cramps energy. Belief is power.”
I heard this quote while watching the tv documentary “Into the Storm” recently on the airplane. It was a drama about Winston Churchill. This quote was said by Roosevelt and he attributed it to Dr. Peabody. The quote really captured my attention and I [...]

Nightscapes, Nocturnes, Planets and Dreams

When the moon gets larger and brighter, get ready to paint nocturnes. The full moon lights up the landscape. Study the light, shadows and values. The patterns of moonlight and shadows are very different from daylight. The sky is not going to necessarily be the lightest light. Shapes and long shadows are soft and mysterious. [...]

Why do I Tweet on Twitter?

I’ve enjoyed meeting artists from all over the world and seeing their art. One can catch the latest news, opinions, marketing tips, inspirational quotes, a good laugh and see interesting activities. I find the experience fascinating and it energizes me. I like to alert others about my latest blog post too. It’s a great way [...]

Excellent Books on Painting: Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting & Hawthorne on Painting

These two books are inexpensive but they are a ‘must read’ in my opinion if you want to do plein air painting. John Carlson gives insights to ’seeing’ the landscape that is very helpful. Charles Hawthorne describes what the painter should be thinking and encourages one to paint more. He believes in doing multiple small studies [...]

How to Make a POCHADE BOX for Painting Plein Air with Watercolor in 14 Easy Steps

Pochade  means `quick sketch’.
Plein Air  means `open air’ and refers to painting on location outdoors.
A pochade box  is very useful for plein air painting because it is lightweight, portable and convenient.
1. Cigar boxes come in all sizes and shapes. Find a cigar box that has room for holding a small watercolor block in the lid. [...]

Why Plein Air?

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Susan Ryan.
Plein air is a lot like dancing in the rain. The conditions are never going to be perfect. It is either going to be too hot or too cold or too windy or clouds will be threatening [...]

Next Page »