Some Stuff in My Garage

So I was kicking around the other day and thinking about all that kind of gathers in and around our houses.   I went out to my studio (garage) and grabbed a few things off the shelf and thought I would give them a little paint.  Just some cans and bottles.  Normal stuff you would probably see in most garages around america.

I'm hoping that by painting these quick sketches to learn a bit more about shading and how paint color can affect form.  The top painting, the cans look mostly flat, but in the bottom one, the "Clean it" bottle actually looks to have shape, and maybe even the wax.

Well, you be the judge.  And you should probably expect to see some more quick sketches like these in the days and weeks to come.

sketching and drawing

 Ok, its time for a little fun.   Doodling and drawing seems to be more fun for me right now than sitting down to try to paint a really nice painting.  These are all quick sketches that seemed fun to do at the time,  and looking at the result, I almost like them more than the more serious paintings I do.


This one is what it looks like.  The beer I had on Wednesday.  (yes, I know it was a work night.  I didn't over imbibe.)








Olivia carved her own pumpkin this year.  I don't remember what these holes were.  The eyes are kinda on the other side.  Well, it doesn't matter, and when it gets explained to you by a 4 year old, somehow it all makes sense (or not).

These are just two things I saw out the window and took a quick pencil to.  There is no real significance to them other than I am making an effort to draw a few things a day, even if they are mundane things like these, to keep in a little practice.

Bayside Cafe

I have been thinking of painting all the landmarks in Morro Bay.  To see if I could do it I did a few quick paintings yesterday.  They turned out OK.  The problem for me is that same problem I've had all along.  DRAWING.  Having not had a drawing class since Mrs. Mudrack's class in high school.  Drawing is tough.  I have been working on it.

Yesterdays quick sketches gave me a little hope so today I decided to give a go on the Bayside Cafe.  It is located in the State Park, right on the water.

So, armed with a little confidence, resolve and dogged determination, I set out to draw, and paint.  Let me pat myself on the back for a second (pat, pat).  This was drawn in PEN.  Did you get that?  PEN, no pencil.  Once I started, I was all in, for good or bad.  It did take just a while to draw it, but the painting went great. OK, there are a few problems.  The perspective is off in a few places.  I know, I know.  But without an eraser, i was forced to forge ahead.  From a drawing perspective, this is like 5 times as difficult as most of my others.

In talking to my painting partner, Ed, (who is learning to watercolor at the same time) he suggested that it may not be quite enough to mix colors in the tray and then put a homogenous color on the paper.  These are watercolors after all, let the paint mix on the paper.  I am trying to take that advice to heart.  If you look in the painting, you can see that most of the colors change ever so slightly as they lay across the paper.  I do think it adds to the interest of the painting.  I am trying to do it even more.  Please click on the picture to enlarge it, it will look much better.