Read the Labels!

12" x 9" Graphite pencil on Paper

This is a pencil sketch from one of last week's live portrait sessions. Any sketches I make using dry mediums - graphite, charcoal and sometimes pastel - are sprayed with something to make them smudge resistant. That something is workable fixative. A light coating of fixative helps protect the drawing, and allows you to work on the drawing more if you want.

Damar varnish, which also comes in spray cans, is a heavier application used to protect dry oil paintings.

When I went to spray the sketch shown above with fixative, I accidentally grabbed the varnish instead. I realized the mix-up as soon as the drawing was sprayed. No harm done, really, but I probably should check the labels of whatever I'm using before one day I mistake damar varnish for something like air freshener or deodorant. It has that fresh piney scent, to be sure, but damar varnish isn't something you want a lot of personal contact with!

For more about drawing sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "sketching" or "drawing."

Cascade Mountain and Spring Greens

12" x 16" Oil on Panel

Trees haven't leafed out yet as much as I'd like for plein air painting, but I can't wait. Heber Valley was the location for this painting. The day began with clear blue skies, then clouds developed as I was blocking in the main shapes of the painting. The clouds largely disappeared from the scene as I painted, but not before I was able to get their impression onto the panel. Storm clouds formed over the mountains behind me, but kindly stayed away from me and the scene I was painting. All in all, a great day to be out painting!

Happy Earth Day!

Graphite Pencil Sketches

12" x 9" Graphite Pencil on Paper

Normally charcoal is my medium of choice when making monochromatic sketches from live models. This week, however, a graphite pencil in my sketch box seemed to be demanding my attention. Graphite is an interesting medium. Dry, yet slippery; dark, yet reflective - graphite's darks are not as deep as charcoal's, but it's silvery smoothness brings certain qualities to sketching and drawing that other mediums don't naturally bring.

12" x 9" Graphite Pencil on Paper

There's another reason for hopping from one medium to another. The techniques are different (at least how I use them). With charcoal I work from a middle tone to build both dark and light tones. Graphite pencil works are - for me - strictly light to dark. I start with white paper and build up darks bit by bit. After using one technique for so long, I risk taking certain methods for granted and losing focus. Having to build a drawing using a different method helps me to refocus on the structure of the drawing.

Besides, graphite drawings are cool.

For more about drawing sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "sketching" or "drawing."

Contrasting Portrait Sketches II

12" x 9" Pastel on Textured  Paper

Another week, two more portrait sketches from life. May I always be able to attend drawing sessions. It may be to work in color, or black and white. Maybe try a new angle, or experiment with a new medium. Drawing sessions are also a great opportunity to network with other painters. There's always new things to learn, and old skills to sharpen.

12" x 9" Charcoal on Paper

For more about drawing sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "sketching" or "drawing."

Happy Vernal Equinox 2015

12" x 16" Oil on Panel

Whatever the season, I enjoy spending time outdoors. But there have been some years, especially after a hard winter, when I've wandered around outside on the first day of spring hunting for promises of more pleasant weather ahead. A small flower, a sprig of new green, even a live insect could lift my spirits. This year, after a mild winter, spring seems to have sprung before I had much time to notice it coming. This week I headed out past the west side of town and made a painting of Mount Timpanogos (shown above). It feels like painting season is coming early, too!

Contrasting Portrait Sketches

13" x 10" Pastel on Gray Paper

Here's a couple from last weeks portrait sessions. The drawing directly above is from Thursday. I'm happy to be getting the colors out again after a long time of using only charcoal at the portrait sessions. 

I still see value in black and white sketches, though. (No pun intended!) That's why at Tuesdays session I used charcoal to make the following sketch:

12" x 9" Charcoal on Paper

For more about drawing sessions, go to "Labels" on the side bar and click on "sketching" or "drawing."

A Couple Days in Redrock Country

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

Last weekend was another trip to Southern Utah for me. This time I went to the southwest corner of the state. I was lucky enough to find a camping spot at a state park campground, and spend a couple days hiking and painting.

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

The weather was great. Blue skies and 70° F. during the day. Lizards were out enjoying the sun, as were Gambel's quail, antelope squirrels, ravens, jays, and a red-tailed hawk. A little chilly at night, but not cold enough for a frost. I was even able to enjoy a short hike in the desert late at night under the light of a brilliant full moon. There was never any need to get the flashlight out of my pack on that hike.

9" x 12" Oil on Panel

There were three different pochade boxes, and a couple 11" x 14" panels packed in the car, but I ended up painting exclusively with a 9" x 12" pochade box. It just seemed to suit me for those two days. The paintings shown in this post were made on that trip.