Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Last for 2019~

I had planned to try something different, maybe a floral with Christmas colors, for my final painting in 2019.  Turns out it might be my first for 2020.  So, my last bit of art for 2019 was a sketch last Saturday with our plein air group.  We were at Memorial Park in Sierra Madre.  I was thinking of a sketch of the community garden there but it was being redone, adding more plots.  I noticed the side street to the east had a nice mix of buildings and trees, and wires which I like to add.  It was a cold morning so I decided to do a pen sketch rather than a watercolor.  The Stabilo pens are water soluble so I did add some water to see how that would go.  It's been fun to experiment with the various pens available.  Looking forward to doing more watercolor painting in 2020!

5" x 7" Pens


Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Christmas Lights

I had to miss our recent paint-out at a busy plaza featuring holiday decorations.  But I wanted to try painting something holiday inspired.  In December three years ago I took a photo of the home across the street from us.  It's always decorated for every holiday and especially for Christmas.  The pretty lights at dusk caught my eye.  Have a wonderful holiday!

5" x 7" Watercolor

  

Saturday, December 21, 2019

St. Luke's


We've met several times to paint at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena.  The hospital was built in 1933 and closed in 2002.  No longer a hospital, it's been a popular location for movie and TV filming, including Kill Bill and LaLa Land.  I hadn't tried painting the building before.  On one visit I painted the apartments on the opposite side of the busy boulevard,  The Yellow Apartments.  On another visit, since I like utility poles, I painted the curve in Washington Blvd in gouache but I didn't finish so I brought the piece back the next time to finish it.  I'm still not sure it's finished but it's included here.  So on our recent visit in October I finally tried painting a watercolor of the main hospital building.  Pretty sunshine that morning.

5" x 7" Watercolor


5" x 7" Gouache


Vintage postcard

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Nearby Lake

I always enjoy our peaceful paint-outs at the nearby Peck Road Water Conservation Park.  There is the lake which started out as a rock quarry, as well as expansive mountain views.  The lake is challenge to paint as the water moves continuously with the wind and wildlife.  I also like the industrial buildings on the east side ridge above the lake.  On our recent visit, I tried to include some of them.  A favorite painting is sort of this same view but I was closer to the water and didn't have a view of the buildings, Morning At The Lake.  Looking forward to next time as always!

8" x 10" Watercolor



8" x 10" Watercolor of fishermen at the lake