Take It On The Run - watercolor

watercolor, 2017

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is from a reference photo I've had for several years afraid to tackle the detail and the shadows. I finally decided to jump in and I'm glad I did. This worked out better than I expected and pops right off the page/screen.

Decoy #3 - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 9"x12"

prints also available

      Another duck decoy. Both the texture of the chipping paint and the glossy reflections work nicely here.

47 On The Block - watercolor

watercolor, 2017

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is from an old photo from the late '40s or early '50s found in one of those caches of "found photos" becoming popular on the web these days. When I thought I was done I felt the buildings in the background were too dark and intense, demanding too much attention. So I used one of John Lovett's tricks and added a very thin layer of white gesso over them and the most distant car to tone them down and push them back. Worked like a charm.

The Pause That Refreshes - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

      A scene from an old photo.

Edgefield Barn - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      Just another barn somewhere. I made up Edgefield because the barn is on the edge of the field and I couldn't think of anything else. I may continue to use Edgefield as a fictional place where all sorts of art lives.

Charleston - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is from a photo I took in Charleston SC a couple years ago. The building is a 19th-century warehouse just a short block from the riverfront. In the 1990s it was converted into offices.

Red Barn - watercolor + ink

mixed, 2016

available, 9"x12"

      A quick, little ink and wash sketch of a barn in early fall. This one is actually 5"x7" on a 9"x12" sheet to help set off the image.

Church Street Church - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      I called this one Church Street Church because it isn't a church anymore; it's an Italian restaurant. I couldn't find the original name of the church that occupied this building. Beyond that, I'm quite happy with this one.

Buick Super Hearse -- watercolor+ink

mixed, 2017

available, 9"x12"

      I haven't done Virtual Paintout in a couple months. This month we're in Ghana. As is evident from many paintings on this blog, I'm drawn to church buildings. So, while I wasn't looking for a church in the Ghana Street View images, I did happen across one that just happened to be having a funeral at the time the image was taken with a Buick hearse parked out front.This checked a couple things off my favorites list -- it's a car AND a hearse (to cover the horror theme). One of the few late model cars I've ever done.
      The original ink drawing is below.

 

Minnow - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 9"x12"

prints and gifts also available

      I might have rushed the details on this one a bit. My father was an avid bass fisherman, so I've seen lures and all other manner of fishing equipment my whole life. But it wasn't until I started painting them that I realized just how much detail is put into making these things look as realistic as possible. I guess fish are smarter than we think. And, maybe the chrome hooks are actually invisible underwater.

Food Truck - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is another piece from the same day as last week's painting. I'm still on the fence with this one. It's loose, but not loose enough. Where it's tight, it isn't tight enough. I liked the composition and idea as soon as I saw it. I'm just not sure about the execution.

Sunday In The Park - watercolor

watercolor, 2016

available, 11"x15"

prints also available

      This is from a photo I took during a Sunday afternoon food truck rodeo in the area. Not exactly my normal scene, I thought I might see a thing or two worth painting. I was right. I'm pretty happy with the looseness of this portrait. I'd like to go a bit looser with the color, but the drawing itself works well and retains a strong naturalism/realism.
      Below is an ink drawing I did as a preliminary.