"Nuthatch"

"Nuthatch" 7x5 oil

"Flurry"

"Flurry" 8x6 oil

More Small Stuff

These two tiny 4x6 studies ended up being huge successes. Not only did they end up being relatively pleasing to look at, I really learned a lot pushing the paint around on them.
The play between warm light and cool shadow has always been a bit of a mystery to me. It's great when I can make it work, but I'm not always as successful as I'd like. In the heron study, I'm particularly happy with the way the warm and cool hues work together making the harsh lighting seem almost "squint your eyes" bright.

Blending acrylic paint is not exactly the easiest thing I've ever done, but with the help of an "open" medium, it gives me a bit more time to manipulate the edges before the paint sets. It might not seem like much, but it's a big deal when trying to soften objects in the background or lose edges here and there.
Let's hope I can translate all this fun stuff into some larger works!

"Chipper"

"Chipper" 7x5 acrylic

With a larger project in mind, I wanted to paint this small 7x5 study of a chipping sparrow on a rhododendron. It took a while for me to figure out the mixtures for the pinks in the sun-drenched blossoms, but I'm very happy with the results.

"Shady Characters"

"Shady Character" 10x10 acrylic

Not a bad piece to wrap up January 2014 :)

Post #300! Let's Talk More About Drawing...

I suppose it's fitting that I start the new year with yet another post about drawing. There are few things in life I find more enjoyable and almost nothing as important to my career as an artist. On my list of goals for 2014, Goal #23 is "Fill three sketch books!" Even for someone who loves to draw as much as I do, this will be quite an accomplishment.

I also want to test out some new materials for my drawings and studies. Perhaps a water-soluble pen or some watercolor pencils? Still, the core of the exercise is always about the drawing. These new materials will present a bit of a challenge as I will have to give myself permission to fail more than once or twice before I figure out how to incorporate them into my work. That's a struggle for me. Allowing myself to fail from time to time offers up a chance to draw with more freedom, capturing gestures and not worrying about the "finished product." They are after all, just studies. They are for me and no one else needs to see them unless I choose. Still, it's easier said than done.

I also need to do more drawing (and painting) in the field. The challenges of field studies can be daunting... especially when trying to figure these things out on your own. I've been doing more outdoor drawing the past two years than ever before. I hope that trend continues. Again, I have to give myself permission to fail on occasion. It can be frustrating as hell dealing with all the elements over which we have no control, but the rewards are well worth the effort!

With the New Year ahead, many adventures seem to be just beyond the horizon. It's an exciting time to be an artist and I intend to push myself past a few very steep challenges of personal and artistic growth. The drawings are just a small part of this, but are also the foundation upon which all other aspects of my art are built. Yes... they are THAT IMPORTANT!

Happy New Year my friends! I hope it's a good one for us all!

"Rock Star"

"Rock Star" 12x20 acrylic

I struggled for several months with this painting. I was happy with the rocks and ferns, but couldn't seem to nail the bird. So I tried several times with multiple bird species, never really happy with the results. Finally, after the magnolia warblers and white-throated sparrows were painted out, a black-capped chickadee took up residence and seemed right at home.

Sketchbook Pages

Some days I just don't feel like painting. It is however, a rare day when I don't feel like drawing. Here are just a few pages of pencil studies from the past two days. Keep drawing!!!

Reworking the Blue Jay

Sometimes I really misjudge a painting as it comes off the easel. I was really happy with this little 5x7 blue jay study last year (image on the left), but it never got a second look at either of the shows it went to... and that's unusual for these mini bird studies. So I put it back on the easel for a little makeover last week. I really liked the bigger soft brush work in the background of the earlier version and I'm kind of sorry I lost that, but the added warmth if the updated piece is pretty appealing. I'm not really sure if I made it better, but it's certainly different. We'll see if it gets any more attention at SEWE later this week!

New Minis

"Whitetail Study" 5x7 acrylic

With the 10th annual McKeever Nature Art Show less than a week away, I've been working on some small affordable studies. See these and many more new originals at the McKeever Center in Sandy Lake, PA September 28 - 30.

"Blue Jay Study" 5x7 acrylic

Downy Woodpecker Study

Downy Study 10x6 acrylic

I just finished this cute little guy, but haven't been able to come up with an adequate title. Anyone have any ideas?

"Quizzical" 6x4 acrylic

I love the way this lady cardinal cocked her head to the side. She certainly has some personality. It's good to stay fresh doing these occasional minis while I'm pushing larger paintings forward.

"James Creek Winter" 8x16 acrylic

When I compose winter scenes, I'm always very aware of the abstract graphic elements created by the snow. In this piece, I like the way everything seems to flow from the upper left corner of the composition to the junco and beyond. The lighter reflections and the large mass of snow in the right side of the painting comfortably direct the viewer's eye back toward the subject.