Santorini Sketching

 A couple of quick sketches I did in preparation of my previously posted work.  Each of these took about 10 minutes to do.  They were just to get an idea of whether or not I liked the picture, and whether or not I'd be able to paint a decent picture of it.  Obviously, I chose the second on to use as the finished painting.

Also, this is a good way to use the backs of those older, not so great paintings that accumulate around the house.

Enjoy.

A Continuing Assault on Campus Buildings

I thought i would try something a little different today.  Bothe pictures today were done in watercolor crayon. It is sometimes hard to find a bench to sit on and paint, let alone a bench and table in an area where you want to paint.  So I thought it would be easier to take my watercolor crayons out and draw the pictures, then return to my office, wet them and outline them.  I have to admit there are some things I like about this approach.  I lose the opportunity for any detail at all, but gain speed and the ability to do this just about anywhere.  This picture is of the entrance to Cradall Gym.  The gym itself isn't used anymore and the University is trying to find a good way to utilize the space.  It is a huge building built in the old mission style.  This is the first crayon drawing I've done.

This picture is the corder of building 38.  I believe it is one of the Mathematics buildings.  The black in the center is a bank of doors that are just set back and very dark, even in real life.  I am working with a limited selection of colors which is why the bark mulch might look a little orange, and the bricks in the road a little too pink.

Hope you enjoy them both.

A Pair of Knockers

I thought these would be a bit easier than they turned out to be.  I don't know what happened to the blue knocker on top.  up close, its a bit much to behold, but actually if you look from afar, its not too bad.  I started with an old rusty door knocker on what was a grey/blue door.  As I drew it, i thought i did a pretty good job of it, but as the paint went on, it got a little more odd with each color.  If you are wondering if it is a man or a lion, so am I.  The picture I took it from was a weird amalgam of the two.

The second one is a Lion head holding a ring in its mouth.  I think that is much easier to see.  I think I did a much better job on this one.  I am even kind of proud of the chipped away paint on the door which exposes the wood behind.

Hope you enjoy them.

Doors and Stairs.

Alright, I added to the stairs just a bit.  Everyone needs a few nice plants growing on your porch.  I think the plants really help the picture.  They somehow give it more depth.  I only with she rest of the picture was a little better.

This picture is one I copied nearly directly from a picture (save the plants) of  some stairs.

This picture is my take on the first one.  Tried to do it a little differently.  The rocks are done with a little different technique, and the stairs too.  I am not sure which one turned out better (or worse if you are a glass half empty person).

Staircase - Work in Progress

There will be additional details painted on this picture as it is a work in progress, but can you just imagine this as a staircase in some old european town?  I know I can (especially since I saw the picture it came from).  White stucco walls with a little moss growing on them, and even more moss growing on the steps themselves.

Actually, Im just glad that the staircase looks as though it is coming forward and not completely flat.  Ive got some plans to put some foliage in the foreground and maybe on the landing.

Enjoy.  I hope to have more up on Monday.