Oak Fair Market

Acrylic on Panel - 9 x 12 inches

I had done a little postcard version of this that turned out so well, I'd been meaning to do a larger version, so here it is. I managed to keep it loose, despite the size and really had a lot of fun. Maybe I'll do an ever bigger version. Hmmmm.

A lot of things I learned while attending Brent Jensen's workshop kept coming back to me. I don't think I'm suddenly a much better painter, but I feel like I'm a much better informed painter. I mean I rendered a detailed victorian building without very many hard edges at all. Quite liberating, actually.

Laundry Day

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x 10 inches - Click Here to Bid

The last morning of the workshop, and things were a little cooler for a change. This one even looks a little cooler, but I think that's a coincidence.

I was looking for a scene to paint and suddenly the laundry went up and I couldn't resist. The resident came to look and was a little surprised to see me painting this scene. It was actually going pretty badly, and every now and again, he'd drop by to see the progress. Then in the last couple of minutes, it all came together and he was so pleased he offered to buy it on the spot.  I couldn't have asked for a better finish to the workshop.

Wine Hills

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x 10 inches Ω

OK, so, more of the greens are looking the same in this one.  Partly because I actually painted this one in the morning before the one I previously posted, partly because the photograph isn't really that good, and mostly because of old habits.  

Winery Sheds

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x 10 inches - Click Here to Bid

Day two of the workshop, and things are improving. Look how many green shapes I have and for once they aren't all the same color! This is looking a bit like the kind of Northern CA landscapes I actually like. Imagine that. 

Madrona Cottage

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x 10 inches  Ω

Still day one of the workshop, and another building at the Madrona Manor, from another vantage since the sun had moved. Actually I tried to be too clever with this one. The side of the building facing me was in total shade, but I knew it would eventually be in full sun. The problem was I underestimated how long it would take. I was already packing up when the sun did hit and I quickly rendered the shadow areas (I had already cheated in the sunlight facade, because I knew what color it was going to be).

Madrona Manor

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x10 inches  Ω

This is my first painting from the workshop. I was lucky enough to join my dad for a few days of instruction and demos with Brent Jensen.  He's a great plein air painter and has a nice, relaxed style. I learned a lot about mixing colors, especially the use of complimentary colors in toning down bright color. I think I'm finally able to banish black from my palette. Well, at least my plein air palette.

This is one of the many out buildings at the Madrona Manor, in Healdsburg, CA. It was quite hot the entire week, so I painted this from the refuge of the shady patio.

Casa Blanca

Acrylic on Panel - 8 x 10 inches - NFS

I just got back from my latest trip to Sonoma, and started off with a warm-up sketch of the house I was staying at. I'd gotten a bit rusty and wanted to make sure I didn't head off to the workshop completely cold.