Post dinner patio color study. 1hr. Mom pruned the Pride of Madeira last week and it was looking pretty sharp. Its going to look amazing next spring when it blooms again.

I am a animation storyboard Artist, currently working on Star Wars Rebels.
Post dinner patio color study. 1hr. Mom pruned the Pride of Madeira last week and it was looking pretty sharp. Its going to look amazing next spring when it blooms again.

Standing by the compost pile wasn’t awesome but the light on the cactus this afternoon was so… here’s another color study. On a technical note, I’m trying a new underpainting wash that’s more ocher and a new panel seal from Michael Harding that’s less absorbent. I think the ocher base is working better with all this dry grass. 1.5hr


Stressful day painting escape 1.5h


Couldn’t paint the last few days because it was deadly hot. I’m not happy with this sketch but I am happy that it has cooled down enough to be back in front of a panel. 1.5hr

I looked up from my lunch to see smoke rising from the middle of the valley. At first it looked like a burn pile but the plume quickly grew and it suddenly had my full attention. I called 911 and got through to the fire department who were already on their way. Then I called David Huebel who, from my vantage point, lives directly behind the smoke, he had also called it in and after a quick conversation we pinned the fire as directly between us. Fire trucks passed by him going north and then by me headed south from Geyserville. I had a house full of kids so I thought it best to keep an eye on this things from afar. I always keep my painting kits packed and ready to go so I grabbed it and set up on the driveway to try and capture the scene. The fire department had the grass fire out before I could finish my sketch. Dang those guys are good. My hats off to them.

Talking to my Uncle Jim after the fact, it sounds like the fire happened over at the Jackson’s property, he thinks they were mowing the tall grass to reduce the chance of a fire and one of the blades struck a rock. Apparently two of our crew, Colan and Antonio, were over there with a water truck before the fire department arrived and helped put it out. Major props to them.
Lovely day. Thought I would paint the view for the driveway while the boys had a lazy video game morning. Looking south across Alexander Valley. 2hr color study

Up on the hill behind moms looking east. 1.5hr color study

Crazy windy once again. This is over by the vineyard shop looking east. 1.5hr

After dinner I drove up the mountain towards the Geysers and pulled off at the first big pullout above the ranch. The sun was already down by the time I started painting and there were a lot of cows and flies to keep me company. This is the view looking south. No underpainting this time so I won’t be surprised if the colors sink by morning. 1hr ala prima color sketch.

My first attempt at a portrait with oils. Thank you Zeldie for being patient and brave enough to model for me. Since I wasn’t painting outside I thought I would try something new and went with a Zorn pallet. This was a lot of fun. 1.5hr ala prima
