Pictured Rocks National lakeshore

Here is a little painting I did over the weekend.  It Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  I've been there many many times and it is truly a beautiful place to be.    I painted a picture of the lakeshore a few years ago and always wanted to do another one, but never got around to if for some reason.  Well, last night, I finally did it.  I make myself sit down and paint it again.    Of course, I had to make a video to go along with it.

I had a lot of fun painting it, I hope you enjoy viewing it.  and if you are so inclined, paint along with me.  

More Gulls

I started this picture at the same time I started the previous Gull painting.  This one took just a bit longer.

I was really concerned about painting this because the picture I started with was really dark, and I don't typically  like to paint that dark.  I tried to keep it dark on the bottom, but lighten as you look up.

After drawing this picture, I started by painting the grey wings and then the driftwood.  Lots of coats of paint on the wood. Then the rocks and water behind.   Finally, beak and legs/feet.

I like the way it turned out.  It reminds me of my home.  Lots of overcast days keeping the bright colors down and greying everything, and plenty of sea gulls everywhere.

Monterrey Cypress

Ok, well, I tried to do another  one from the central coast.  This one being a monterrey cypress trees along the coast.  I think I jus tmissed the mark on this one.  I like some of the rocks, I think the grass is ok, but I really think I missed my mark on the tree itself.  I know, I know, thats a pretty big thing since the tree takes up the whole painting.  Well, some are winners, some maybe come in second place.  This is one that probably finished second, or even later.

little plants

Well I took another trip to the arboretum today.  I found a nice place in the shade where there was a seat and a table and I sat down and drew and painted this.  This planter was on the side of the pathway and looked like a good subject to start with.  Start to finish was just about 1/2 an hour.    Thats pretty good.  With something like this, I want to work a little quickly.  What i hope is that working fast will make me be less literal in my interpretation of the subject and force me to focus on getting color on the paper.  I have to say, to some extent I think it really worked.

Looking at the top of the planter, it really does look like the plants in front are closer than those in back.  Also, the rocks look like they have some depth to them.  Wonderful!!  The bowl of the panter is a little flat.  I could have fixed that with a little richer color, but I guess that is what I learned from this lesson.  Hope you enjoy.

PAC Center

This is a quick little painting I did of the PAC.  The Performing Arts Center.  People seem to call it the PAC Center for some reason.  Really they ought to call it the PA Center.  There are some dorms that really should be behind the trees on the left hand sid, but I took a little license.  And there should be some mountains behind the trees as well, but......  I think i did  a great job with everything I did put in.  Looking back a t the picture, the only thing i forgot to put on are some shadows across the sidewalk.  enjoy it.

Humming Quail... Wait, What?

This cute little humming bird for sale. 

SOLD

Ok, today we have two different paintings, and really two different types of things.  The first is of course a painting o fa humming bird.    Yesterdays was too cute, so I had to try another one.  This one looks a little like he is wearing a turtleneck sweater, but thats ok.  I was cold today while he was modeling for me.  It has a border around it because I painted it to put in an old frame I had, and forgot to scan it in before i put it in the frame.

The second is an etching that I added  color to.  The original is pressed into the paper, and is in black an white.  Ok, so I didn't go crazy with the colors.  I didn't think this picture called for it.  I have some nice greys on the rocks and nice coloring on the quail, also the sky gradually changes into green of the weeds and stops just before the ground.  I have been afraid to paint this for the longest time for fear that I would really screw it up, but I think I did a fair job of colorizing it, and keeping it looking period.

Seaside Path

Ahhhh.  A nice leisurely walk along the seaside.  Some nice cypress pines along the way.  Well, the picture didn't turn out quite like I thought, but its not half bad either.

And, looking at the pic, it looks like I forgot to put in the chain between the posts.  Hmmmm, well, nothing I cant put in later.  Enjoy