Spring is almost here

With spring just around the corner, I thought it was time to get ready to do some outdoor painting. I plan to get out a lot more this year, so it's a good time to shake off the cobwebs. I've recently completed one painting (in the studio), and am almost done a second one. For me, it's always been a battle to separate work from painting for pleasure. That the goal I've set for myself this year, no more thinking, just get out and do it. I'm now getting to the age that if I don't do it now, I'll never get around to it. Another thing that has come into the picture is my wife has been bitten by the gold bug. My gift to her this Christmas was to outfit her with what all she needs to pan for gold. The wonderful thing about this arrangement is that we can enjoy weekend outings together, her panning, me painting. Here a few pictures of the finished painting, and the one I'm working on. Feel free to leave a comment. Thanks

11"x14" Acrylic on hardboard

Acrylic on hardboard

Project Sparrow

Thought I would do a bit of a step by step for my next project. This painting is going to be a nature theme, based on a photo I took in my backyard. I'll start with the process I used to create the finished design. Like most reference pictures I use, they're only the general idea for the painting. I like to take them into Photoshop and build the final design. This usually involves putting two or more picture together to come up with the final image. I post more as the painting progresses. Feel free to leave a comment.

Step 1: Here is the original photo that I'll start with.

Step 2: I decide on how to crop it.

Step 3: I thought I would add some color and detail to the right side.

 Step 4: It still needed something on the right side for balance, so I added the buds and leaves. This is my finished composition, the overall size of the painting will be on a panel measuring 10" x 12", and  painted with Acrylics. Let the painting begin.

 Day 1: Spent about 2 hrs. yesterday blocking it in. Just heading out to work on it now. Should be able to finish today.

 Day 2: Painted for about 3 hrs. today. I'm thinking a couple of adjustments and I'll call it done. I'm always worried about spending to much time on a painting and running the risk of over working it.

The finished painting. I found this to be a very enjoyable project, I think I'll do a couple more.

Making progress on my latest project.

Spent some time today on my recent project of the abandoned truck. I felt inspired after participated in a three day workshop with Mike Svob. It was a real eye opener into using color to the max. He was a wonderful instructor, sharing a wealth of information and his technique for producing rich and appealing paintings. I'll try to post some pictures from the workshop over the next few days.You can check out some of his work under the recommended links section. Here's a couple progress pictures, and the finished painting.

Some small paintings

Here's a couple of small canvases that I painted. One in oil, the other two in acrylics. I find by working small, I can finish the same day I start. That's probably why I'll spend more time doing Plein Air this year. The large paintings seem to take longer to complete, not because of their size, but because it takes more to get motivated and work on them.Comments welcomed.

                                                     10" x 12" Oil on canvas board.

                                                      10" x 12" Acrylic on canvas board.

                                                      11" x 14" Acrylic on canvas board.

A little Pen and Ink work

 Just thought I would do a quick post about Pen and Ink drawings. I find them to be quite relaxing to do, just grab some pens and a sketch book, and your off to the races, no set-up or mixing paints. They usually take a couple of hours to complete. The nice thing is, they're great for working out the problems or details for a painting. Here's a couple of pictures of some recent pieces.

Starting a new painting today

I was hoping to get out today and do some Plein Air painting, but the weather wasn't co-operating ( cold and windy)  So I thought I would start a small painting in the studio instead. It's from a photograph I took on one of my bike adventures through the back roads around Alberta. I was going through a small town when I came across this old truck sitting next to an abandoned building. I've always been a sucker for the look of old vehicles and abandoned buildings. I'm using acrylics on canvas board for this project, and have a couple of hours into it so far. I'll keep you posted on the progress. The one photo shows another painting I'm working. It's of an old man asking for change that I came across while in Mexico. You can never have enough projects on the go.

Welcome to my new blog

Hello, I thought I would start a blog to follow my journey into the world of fine art painting. After painting commercially for the last 30-some years, I've decided to take the plunge and paint for myself. It's something I've always wanted to do, but never had the chance, or time. I decided to become a member of the FCA (Federation of Canadian Artist) and recently enrolled in a paint workshop with Mike Svob. I am by no means new to using a brush. I've been a Sign Painter / Muralist, and worked as a scenic painter in the film industry, but never really took the time to paint for myself. It's funny when I mention that I'm going to spend more time painting, people say, " I didn't know you could paint."It's like the commercial side and fine art world are not connected. The whole point of starting this blog is to share my progress on the road to becoming a better Artist  Maybe others will join in who have a similar passion, and also share their information and experience. I hope it can be a great place for people to come and  share thoughts in the pursuit of creating art. Feel free to leave me a comment or any suggestions you might have. Thanks
        
Here are a couple of my recent paintings, painted with Acrylics on canvas board.