Metal Tackle Box

Well, here is the final one, I think, of my fishing series of paintings.  This one, is of course lures, in a metal tackle box.  Had fun painting it, though it took me a while.  I started this on my lunch hour last friday, and painted for about 15 minutes each lunch until today.  I like how some of it turned out, other parts, not quite so much.

Well, I'm keeping this write up short. Hope you enjoy.

Dabfly Arts is back on Etsy

Dabfly Arts has re-opened its Etsy store.  All paintings that are for sale will now be available for purchase through Etsy.  You can get a bit of the backstory for each piece of art on this site, and I will provide a link to the Etsy store where you can purchase it.

Remember, If you would like a custom painting, you can still contact Michael directly to discuss what you would like.

Laura

This is a portrait of an on-line friend.  She had posted a sepia tone portrait of herself, and for whatever reason (probably that it was in sepia tones and easy to see the highlights and shadows) I really felt that I could paint it and do  a good job of it.

I used VanDyke (I don't think it's named after Dick) brown, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, raw umber and burnt sienna.  Starting with a sketch of her, i started adding color to her face.  A LOT of layers.  I basically put on a tiny bit of paint, then smoothed out the edges so there wouldn't be any hard edges.  Then move onto another spot and do the same.  Once an are dried I went back and did another layer.  I think at its deepest, there are 6 layers.  It makes for a glowing painting.  I did it this way because in the past I have put the colors on in thicker layers and it has just looked flat.

I did use colored pencil on the hair.  Hair is really tough for me (and probably for everyone.  I guess the only way to get better at hair is to keep practicing.  My only regret with this painting is that I used such soft paper, and it didn't like the constant washing.

All in all I think I did a pretty good job.  Laura I hope you like it.  Everyone els too.  Enjoy.

Fishy Fishy Fishy Fish

For Sale. Watercolor. 6x9. $25

Alright, sticking with my recents aquatic theme, I give you some more fishing lures.  I made sure to make the colors a little bolder and brighter.  And add a little shadow to the background behind.  My hope is that that would make them stand out just a bit more.  For some of the lures it really did, some not quite as much as I wanted.

As I was painting this one, i suddenly went, uh oh, its a brown background with a brown pole and some darkish color lures, I hope its not too brown.  Well, it does look a bit brownish, but I don't think it takes away from the picture as a whole.  I also tried to make the pole look round.  Not exactly sure how that one turned out!

Trying hard to loosen up my painting style.  The wall is supposed to have reds and yellows and greens in it.  Guess that was a bit too subtle.  The next one will have to be a bit better.  I think the mixing of the colors on the lures is better.  My favorites are the ones on the ends.  One other thing.  I started cheating my highlights.  You may look and see the white highlight lines.  They are not paint at all.  White colored pencil.  Takes all the stress out of trying to leave white area when I paint, and when you look at it, you looks like a real reflection.  Yes, I probably could do the same with white gouache, but this took all of a few seconds to do and looks nearly exactly identical.

Hope you all enjoy, I had a great time painting it.

State Park Marina

SOLD

If you ever stop by Morro Bay, California and by the State Park Marina, you will see a sight like this. The marina has about 8 slips to lease out.  Standing on the north shore, facing south, you could see a similar  view repeated on each of the 5 docks.   I've had the idea to paint this for quite a while now.  The kids and I go to the state park every so often.  On the south side the park system has installed a wooden boardwalk  that circles the peninsula.  Its a great walk if you have an hour or so.

Those of you who have been following my painting since the beginning will recognize that many of the first paintings I did were boats, and I always knew I would make my way back to them.

I've been getting to "tight" with my painting recently, and I purposely painted this one more quickly that ones I have done recently.  Sans drawing, this painting took me about 40 minutes start to finish.  Not bad, that still gave me time to eat my lunch at a leisurely pace.  I like this one, and hope you do too.

Da Da Da La Da Da Da Da Feelin' Googie

For some reason, I was doing a search on Googie Architecture.  Its that futuristic style of architecture.  Don't really know it?  Think Jetsons, and you'll have it.  It was an architectural style that had its hayday in the mid to late 60's.  Anyway, there are all kinds of Googie buildings still around.  Most are now covered by historic preservation societies.

This restaurant is located in Rossmoor, California.  It is designed to look like its namesake.  Not only are the parasol ribs viewable on the outside of this round building, but on the inside as well.  Additionally, there are parasols hanging from the ceiling.  In case you are wondering, yes, I used to eat there when I live in Long Beach.  Its a cute little restaurant that I am happy to say has recently been saved from demolition and still in business today.

This painting probably means more to me than it will to anyone who views it here, but I think its great.  Enjoy.

What's Your Color

I love the way watercolors look when they are applied loose and fast.  The good folks over at urban sketchers (urbansketchers.org) do a great job of it.  In many ways I would like to do what they do.  For the most part they take simple images and add a bit of color.  They don't necessarily try to recreate an image with photo realistic accuracy.  The opposite is true in fact.  They try to paint quickly and give the impression of what they are painting, and let the viewers mind fill in most of what it needs.

This is the first painting I have  completed, that I think resembles ones that you will find on their site.  Hope you enjoy it.  Thank you.