More painting designs
I finished the drawing for this painting which is the latest in my Amusement Park Series. I’ve pushed the drawing on the canvas farther than usual to clarify the complicated relationships among the 16 or so figures. The drawing is lead pencil which allows more precision than charcoal. You might wonder why I spend so
What I have been up to
Not only haven’t I posted much lately, I haven’t painted either. But I have been busy. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks drawing and completing painting designs. Normally, when I finish the design for a new painting, I can’t wait to pick up the brushes and pitch in. As an exercise, I’ve been pushing
Woodshop by the lake
I use my small backyard shed as my woodshop. I would rather do my carpentry in that cramped space than have the sawdust from my table saw in the studio. Even modest carpentry jobs like frame and stretcher building produce A LOT of sawdust. In the warm weather, I keep the shop doors open to
Review: Tombow lead pencils
I’m in a drawing period; I haven’t touched a brush for three weeks. The drawings serve as designs for paintings, not standalone drawings. The paintings are my typical size, 40″ x 54.” So, I’ve used a lot of pencils lately. A pencil is a pencil is a pencil, right? Sure, you have to pay attention
Drawing tablets
A reader asked if I use a drawing tablet. Before I answer that question, let’s talk about what a drawing table is for those who might not be familiar with the technology. There are three types of technology collectively referred to as drawing tablets. For each type, the artist uses the supplied pen to create
Starting a painting
Everyone knows how to start a painting, right? You take up your brush and begin–what’s the problem? Joking aside, if you want to create a sketch or study, that IS exactly how you start. That approach is fine until you want to create something more ambitious. If you intend to create a piece that’s large,
Premixing tones
Artists spend a lot of time thinking about their palettes; how many colors, which colors, how big, and so forth. My palette is too large to hold in my hand so I keep it on a cart next to the easel. The palette has to be big enough to contain my color assortment and premixed
Good photo day. Finally.
Cedar Point is known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” It is one of the oldest and largest amusement parks in the United States. In addition to the roller coasters, the park has beautifully landscaped areas and stunning white beaches on Lake Erie. I regularly visit Cedar Point with my Nikon z7. This