The Bull Rider

Cowboys Pray

I have been painting on small masonite panels primed with gesso. I like the texture and because I’m preparing my own panels I can make it smooth or rough. I am also painting looser and with thicker paint allowing the brush work to show. I know a lot of artist work in this manner, but it is a new endeavor for me.

Civil War Painting #1

This is the first of a series of paintings I will be doing this year to commemorate the 150th year anniversary of The Battle at Wilson’s Creek.

Lost Edge

I love dimly lit still-lifes where the edge can get lost in shadow. This is only a small sketch 2 ¼” x 3”. I used a shadow box that I made for small still-life painting. I made a small hole in the top so that I could control the amount of light. For this sketch I covered the hole so that the only light source was the reflected light coming from the walls of the studio.

In the studio

This is only some of the preliminary work that I have done for the development of a very special painting. Planning is the key to being able to paint well, if I have to figure out how it is going to layout as I’m standing at the easel, it just doesn’t work for me.

The Civil War

About 15 years ago I took some photos of a reenactment of The Battle of Wilson’s Creek. I have been doing some sketches and working on some paintings to commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the battle; on August 10, 1861 it was the first major battles fought west of the Mississippi river.

His Majesty

Here it is Finished I will have it hanging in the FRESH gallery for the December First Friday Art Walk.

African Lions

I have not posted for a while but I have been busy painting. Here is the start of my latest African wildlife painting. I’m using photos that I took last week for the main characters, yes we have lions at the Springfield Dickerson Park Zoo, and if you have all day they will eventually pose for you. Using Photo-Paint (the Corel version of Photo Shop) I combined 3 images to compose this scene. I used it for reference and sketched it onto the canvas then using Raw Umber thinned I painted the under painting. The canvas size is 24" x 36"

The Under Painting

Using a 3D model to get an accurate perspective

Here is how I applied the banjo case model to the sketch that I had already started on my 16” x 20” canvas. This view was cropped. I could have worked it out with projection lines, but this approach was a learning experience. It is all about the spatial relationship of objects.

Making Art

Here are some preliminary studies for the painting I am working on today. In the lower right corner is a paper model of a banjo case I made in order to get the perspective just right.

VBS Backdrop

It’s time again for VBS at HBC. This is the backdrop for this year. I just finished it tonight. I love painting these same panels year after year, this it the tenth time now.

It's Good To Go

This is the first finished from the group of three paintings below. The size is 8” x 10” oil on canvas panel.

New Works For Next Art Walk at FRESH Gallery

I was busy getting my art In the FRESH gallery for the June Art Walk, so I have not posted anything for a while. It was a good night lots of people got a chance to see my work on display. Now I’m working on paintings for next month. Here are the under paintings of some of the work I will have on display next time.

More Zebras

I continue to refine my 4 step process of drawing, under painting, color block in, and then the final adjustments. Today’s painting started with a drawing having less detail this time. I wanted the painting process to remain loose because I think that works best for Zebra stripes.

Step Four: Final Adjustment to color & Detail

Step Three: the first coat of color

Step Two: The Under Painting

Having an accurate drawing before I start the under painting allows me to concentrate more on the values rather than both the composition and drawing plus the values like I use to. I had stated on an earlier post that I could skip the process of drawing on the canvas first. At that time I was using vine charcoal and the drawing was not that good, so I would have to spend time correcting the drawing. I know now that accuracy is the key for this process.