Jan. 14: Lonnie McFadden

Lonnie McFadden
8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

I took a photo of Lonnie McFadden at a private birthday party a couple of years ago.  He is an amazing musician.  

Jan. 13: Derald Fly Fishing in CO

Derald Fly Fishing in CO
9 x 12 oil on canvas paper
Limited Zorn palette
What a challenge to use only white, yellow ochre, cad red and black!  Green was hard to come by.  Yellow ochre and black.  Whew!  I am now a Zorn fan.  

Jan 13: OB

OB
9 x 12 oil on canvas paper
I lived in Ocean Beach (OB), CA for a few years.  This is the pier that I spent a lot of time on and around.  We would set lobster traps off the pier at night.  OB is a paradise for surfers.  Young and old, women and men, wait and watch for the surf and dream of catching the big wave.  OB will always have a special place in my heart.  I can smell the ocean when I look at photos of the beach.  

Jan. 11: Pope Francis

Pope Francis
8 x 10 oil on canvas
This painting was done with the limited Zorn palette again.    

Jan. 10: Travis

Travis
(NFS)

Mixing the Zorn Palette:  white, yellow ochre, cad red medium, and black

Zorn Chart from Westerberg Fine Art instruction blog

I am a sucker for charts.  I guess I am a nerd, since I truly enjoyed making this color chart before I began to paint Travis's portrait today.  He was definitely the hardest portrait to date.  I guess since he is my son, it made it expodentially more difficult.  The photograph I used for a reference was taken about 5 years ago.   

Jan. 9: Clark's Ranch

Clark's Ranch from a personal photo reference
9 x 12 on Arches canvas paper
I recently purchased a package of Arches Canvas Paper to try out.  I am pleasantly surprised with the surface texture of the papers surface.  It is almost like regular canvas, but with a little more 'drag'.  I did not tint the paper first, but I will try that tomorrow.  It is early to say this, but I really like the paper.  I have gessoed watercolor paper and painted with oils, which is hands down, not as nice.
This location is in Colorado, near Salida.  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to paint with a local group of plein air painters that meet weekly.  The particular day I took this photograph, Joshua Been was with the group.  I didn't know who he was at the time, but later took a couple of great workshops with him in Salida.  I must say, from a retired art teacher's point of view, he is one of the best teachers I have ever had.  I highly recommend his workshops.  He is a very generous instructor that gives the workshop 200% of his attention.  I probably learned more in those two workshops than 6 years of college.  I'm just saying….well worth your time and money to take a workshop with Joshua Been.  (And no I don't get a free workshop or painting for endorsing him!)

Jan 8: Aspen Dance

Aspen dance
9 x 12 Oil on panel
I have several photos I took in Colorado of the Aspen trees in the fall.  Working from a photo is not nearly as much fun, but since it is hovering around zero degrees outside in MO….I'll take it!