Day 33 "Tuscan Hilltown"

My vacation to Tuscany with 5 fellow artists was a treasure-trove of images to draw. 
To create this scene I used an oil wash technique which is taught by Richard McKinley, whom I think is a terrific, creative artist. I always try to get the oil wash as interesting as Richard McKinley's but I fall short of the effort and in the end, cover up almost all of the wash with pastel.

"Tuscan Hilltown" 12" x 8" Uart sanded paper with an oil wash

I'm including a close-up of the olive grove which I think is the better part of the drawing. It's looser and I like the soft colors. You can see some of the wash effect on the lower trees.

Detail

Day 32 "Silvercreek"

Silvercreek is one of those magical little creeks in West Virginia that feels like it's the birthplace of a mighty river - which, in a way, it is. These tributaries from the side of Cheat Mountain combine to make Tygart River which empties into the Mongahela - to the Ohio at Pittsburgh and onto the Mississippi.
Silvercreek is so clean and pristine. The low afternoon light keeps the forest dark but illuminates the sides of the trees as they hug the creek bank.

"Silvercreek" 12" x 8" on Wallis sanded paper

Day 31 "I Love Mts." rally

SURPRISE!

"I Love Mountains" rally today!

The I LOVE MOUNTAINS rally protesting Mountain Top Removal was held on the step of the Capitol in Frankfort today. This is my rally sign and here's the back of the sign. Not my best paintings but most heartfelt and appreciated by many in the crowd.

Day 30 "Spring Trail"

It is so time for spring. I actually like snow but this year has been too cold along with our frequent but shallow amounts of snow to go out to do any plein air drawing. Yes, I said shallow - we've had only 4 inches at a time and I like big, thick, sticky snows....o.k. I'm crazy.
I've returned to spring 2010 photos from Raven Run and the Blue-Eyed Mary flowers that blanket the forest floor. 
This drawing was done on Wallis Belgium Mist paper with an underpainting of pastel washed with alcohol.

"Spring Trail of Blue-Eyed Marys"  8" x 12"

Day 29 "Lake Crescent, WA"

"Art is a technique of communication. The image is the most complete technique of all communication." Claus Oldenburg
Blues, purples, pinks and a touch of red. Colors that relate to each other on the color wheel produce a peaceful response. These kayakers added a nice point of interest to a very quiet scene. 
This piece is on Wallis Belgium Mist sanded paper with an oil wash of blue in the sky and the rest was a dark mauve. I'd love to get this underpainting technique developed so I could leave some of the oil wash showing like Richard McKinley's work which I admire greatly.

"Lake Crescent, WA" 8" x 12" pastel on Wallis paper

Day 28 UK Emergency

Artists have no excuse for boredom. As long as we have some form of paper, subjects surround us. 
This week I had some time while waiting for some friends outside of the UK Emergency entrance. (It was business-not an emergency) I needed a distraction from the blink, blink of my car emergency blinkers as I waited in a "No Parking" zone. An old napkin in the console and an ink pen provided my distraction.
I liked my sketch of the Emergency Room entrance but could I turn it into a pastel without a reference photo for details and color?
Well, here's my attempt. Good start but could be much better as a plein air drawing, however 25 degree weather prevents that.

"UK Emergency"  8" x 12" on Wallis Belgium Mist sanded paper

Day 27 "Peaceful Morning Swim"

The reference photo for "Peaceful Morning Swim" was taken from my kayak which gives the viewer the feeling of sitting on the water along with the ducks. This drawing was created with a very thin oil wash applied over the Wallis Belgium Mist sanded paper. The oil wash seems to give an added depth to the image.

"Peaceful Morning Swim" 8" x 12" on Wallis sanded paper