Bedazzled

Landscape painters can move mountains, demolish buildings, shrink trees, reroute rivers and no-one would be the wiser. However, make a nose too long or not leave enough space between a person's eyes, and suddenly everyone's a critic. Even though my focus is mainly on landscape painting, I make it a point to incorporate working from live models a few times a week to keep my drawing skills up to par.

The drawing above is one such effort. Models come in all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. Include as much variety in your practice as you can.

Medium: Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencil & General's Charcoal White

Paper: Strathmore Toned Tan

Dimensions: 11x14 inches.

How-To Get Good Fast

Beginning students often ask, "What is the one thing that I can do that will help me become a better painter?" At the risk of sounding like a wisecrack answer, I reply, "Paint!" Most beginning students rely on one class a week to advance their drawing or painting skills. That's simply not enough practice time.

Painting frequently is so important for artistic development. Someone coined it "brush mileage" but the idea is that by regularly painting (if not daily) will put your skills on the fast track. Regardless of your skill level, do the very best you can do every time you paint. What you choose as a subject isn't as important as putting the time to practice.

Above is a small sampling of my class demonstrations performed over the past few weeks. I give a 20-30 minute demo at the beginning of every class. These demos consist of a general topic for the day to get students in the mindset of painting. If requested, I may do smaller demos specific to what each student is working on during that class. It's not uncommon for me to paint 6-10 demos per week. You can see how mileage can add up quickly. These "speed painting" exercises are what I suggest and encourage my students to do.

Of course, not everyone's schedule will allow that kind of volume. However, dedicating any additional practice time outside of class will only benefit you.

Desert Trails



Here's another 6x6 inch painting I recently delivered to the West Valley Arts HQ Gallery. Desert Trails started out as a color study meant for a larger painting. The study started to look great on its own so I brought it to a finish. The larger 12x12 inch version is already posted on my website under the "Studio Paintings" collection. I am considering doing one more version at 24x24 inches or larger.

 

I personally love the gradation of color temperature in this painting. Blue/Greens in the foreground, Red/Violets in the mid-ground and finally, Blue/Violets in the background mountains.

 

For purchase information please contact: West Valley Arts HQ Gallery 

16126 N. Civic Center Plaza

Surprise, AZ

Phone: 623-584-2626

Desert Light - SOLD


This 6x6 inch piece recently found a new home via the West Valley Arts HQ Gallery. More of my work can be found on display at the gallery if you're interested in starting your collection.

HQ Gallery website: http://www.westvalleyarts.org/wv-arts-hq/