Untitled #311

Untitled #311

12" X 16"

Oil on Paper

2014

Another 2 hour study painted from life. I've really grown fond of working in a monochromatic form with these 2 hour poses. It saves a bit of time not having to spend a lot of the pose mixing as is the case when working with color. Also, you can cover so much ground with paint in such a short amount of time, and the length of the pose allows for some accuracy. So this approach is a nice mixture of both drawing and painting. 

Desert Landscape Study

Desert Landscape Study

24" X 36"

Charcoal on Paper

2012

This work is similar to a cactus study that I posted earlier in the month. Here again I have used directionally focused stroke patterns to build unison across multiple forms in the composition. I've experimented with this approach over the years and continue to return to it on occasion. There is a kind of dynamism to it that is continuously attractive for me.   

Gwyneth Seated in Monochrome

Gwyneth Seated in Monochrome

9" X 12"

Oil on Paper

2015

I painted this the other morning from life out in 29 Palms in a little under two hours. It was another trek for me across the mass of Southern California to a place I've never been. The workshop was held at a place called 29 Palms Creative Center & Gallery and the host, other artists, and model were more than pleasant company to keep. The drive there was amazing too. So many wildflowers in the desert. The most I've seen in quite a few years. 

Untitled #301

Untitled #301

24" X 36"

Charcoal on Paper

2014

I used a large sheet of Vellum for this 25 minute drawing completed last year. Vellum is a rather unforgiving surface to use with charcoal because it is very difficult to eradicate any mistakes. Also, the tooth fills up rather quickly. Although there is a kind of stark beauty to the work because it forces you to make definitive choices without hesitation. It's kind of a high-wire act like working in ink without an underdrawing, but on a large scale.

Danielle Seated

Danielle Seated

12" X 16"

Oil on Canvas

2014

This 3 Hr. life study was painted on an untoned canvas. Typically I enjoy working on a toned canvas while doing studies like this from life as they afford some forgiveness in terms of coverage. 

When working on such a stark surface you have to work a bit more diligently to make sure that the paint connects so that bright canvas gaps don't show up in-between strokes that have been laid down. To accommodate for this I usually load the brush full of paint while attempting to describe forms with as few strokes as possible. 

This approach to painting is called 'economy of means' by many, and more than a few of my favorite artists worked in this manner. There is kind of elegant simplicity to it when thing work out well.

44th President

44th President Sketch

18" X 24"

Charcoal on Paper

2015

This 45 min. sketch of President Obama is from an image that just seemed to catch my interest the other day. It's always remarkable to witness the ageing of Presidents in office over time as I imagine they endure an exhaustive work schedule and inordinate amounts of stress. There was a kind of 1,000 yard stare in his eyes that was absolutely gripping.

Camille Seated

Camille Seated

12" X 16"

Oil on Canvas

2014

This is a four hour Alla Prima painting from life completed last year at Angels Gate. I used quite a few very large brushes throughout the painting. Especially in the background. Using these can be a bit tricky sometime as it is a very simple thing to ruin prior carefully laid in strokes.