There is something very satisfying about painting over your old work. The paint just goes down easier. You have the added confidence of knowing things can’t be worse than the first time around.
Hanging with the cyclographicult hommies at the statue, aka James A. Garfield, in Golden Gate Park. Looking west towards a lovely late summer sunset over the conservatory of flowers lawn. Good times
Another lunchtime painting. This is the view looking east from the Presidio Chapel on a foggy summer afternoon.
I was painting in the Main Post of the Presidio at lunch today on Graham Street. It was a beautiful day here, with really nice light, and I couldn’t have asked for better conditions. The oils didn’t give me any trouble, The wind didn’t pick up like it usually does, I didn’t forget any supplies or drop the painting in the dirt, and the notifications on my phone said Trump was guilty on all all thirty four felony counts. It was a lovely afternoon.
I spent my lunch break today painting outside Cafe RX. It was a redo of a not-so-great oil sketch I did a few weeks ago. There’s something deeply satisfying about painting over your own work, especially when you see improvement. It’s not just a mental boost; physically, there’s a unique feel to painting over an already-painted canvas. Although, I’m not sure about the long-term stability of the piece since it seems to defy the ‘fat over lean’ rule.
Quick lunchtime painting on the hill above Lucasfilm, looking east.
I’ve been slacking on posting my paintings lately. Just moved into a new place and still haven’t gotten around to setting up my studio properly – no lights, no easel, not even blinds for the windows yet. So many things to do, but hey, at least I’ve been keeping busy with the paintbrush, even if I’m not sharing much online.
There is a small glen between the corner of Compton Rd and Washington Blvd. It’s a bit overgrown with brambles, but on this occasion, the light was nice, and I was in a rush to paint. It served its purpose. Working on such a messy subject with a small panel is a challenge. I should try again but with a larger canvas.
I had to take my son to a cross country race in Golden Gate Park this morning, the Lowell Invitational. He needed to be there two hours early to help set up, which gave me just enough time to paint. My compliments to cross country event planners for consistently choosing beautiful locations and start times that almost always guarantee stunning lighting. Today was no exception; there was a lingering hint of lavender fog in the atmosphere as I finished up.
I began and finished this painting with no one in the lower frame, but the race course ran parallel through the grass. By the time I was done, a large crowd of nervous-looking teenagers in their school colors were warming up just behind me. I was tempted to paint in some runners, but before I knew it, it was time to cheer for Redwood High School!
Today, the crowd was much chattier than my usual onlookers, prompting me to give many “you can paint too, just don’t be afraid to fail…” pep talks. I had a wonderful time, and the event was fantastic. I’m sure many personal bests were achieved today.
My son had cross country practice this morning in Tennessee Valley. While he ran with his friends I painted and chatted with campers coming down off the hill. It was a classic foggy Marin Headlands landscape. All the runners passing down the trail added a splash of color to the otherwise monochromatic hills.
This is the view just south of the parking lot, looking north from the Haypress Camp Trail fork.
If you are heading to the Phoenix Lake trailhead from Ross, you need to take Lagunitas Rd to get there. I’ve run or ridden my bike down this road hundreds of times, and there’s one thing that always catches my eye. Right before the hills crest, there is a house with these amazing hydrangeas.
