Daily Painting #118 -- On Patrol

I met this horse just after the Cubs home opener. It was a terribly cold and wet day. Really just an awful day for baseball...Especially to be in the stands. Hurrying to get out of the cold, I came through a large crowd of people, and there he was! Just staring right back at me. It really took me by surprise. I knew immediately it would be a painting.

This is the first time I've ever painted a horse. I really hope I did him justice. More paintings soon. Have a great weekend! As always, thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 7" x 5"

$100.00


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Daily Painting #117 -- My Mom

We were asked to paint a piece about Mothers today. This is one of the few times I've talked my Mom into sitting for me. It was a few years back, right around the holidays. She'd probably feel it is a bit unflattering. But I think I caught a glimpse of something in that gaze. I don't really know how to define it. But I'll take a bit of psychological drama over flattery any day. For me, this has always been a very special piece. Thanks for looking!

8" x 12" -- Watercolor on Arches

$300.00


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Daily Painting #116 -- Expression 9

This will be the last of the "Expression" series. I have to admit that I'm almost sad to see it end. I found something interesting in every single one of these. There were a few ideas I would have liked to try. But in the end, I think it's time to move on for now anyway. Hope you've enjoyed them as much as I have. As always thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #115 -- Expression 8

Another "Expression" for you today. This one was alot of fun. The color was particularly interesting for me. There were some really odd blues and purples in the shadow side. They just didn't look right on the palette, but really brought life to the flesh. It's weird how that happens sometimes.

I think I've got one more "Expression" in me, and then it will be time to move on...As always, thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"

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Daily Painting #114 -- Expression 7

Yet another expression for you today. I thought this would be a nice way to ease back into work for the week. As it turned out, this was the trickiest of the bunch so far. The tilt and twist of the head got me at first. But the difference in the eyes and a slight shift in the jaw turned out to really hold the essence of the pose. I'd like to do a few more of these over the next week or two. But I'll probably cap this series off at 10. As always thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #113 -- Expression 6

Another "Expression" for you today. This one was alot of fun. There was a lot of really interesting distortion to deal with. Some pretty subtle stuff. Which is always interesting. But, all that aside, staring at that face for hours just put me in a great mood! Hope it'll do the same for you. Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #112 -- N. Milii

We were asked to paint something "Out of the box" or out of the ordinary for us today. So I decided to paint one of my favorite geckos in a made up landscape. Sadly, I haven't settled on a name for this beautiful girl yet. Though I am certainly open to suggestions. She is a Nephrurus (Underwoodisaurus) Milii, which is a small terrestrial gecko native to Australia. They are a joy to keep, wonderfully friendly with very curious personalities.

Thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"

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Daily Painting #111 -- Expressions 5

Yet another expression for you today. I was admitedly a bit hesitant about painting this piece. I try to be a bit careful about the energy that I put out to the world. But I decided that this whole series is really about exploring the expressions. I felt that I'd be a bit remiss if I didn't at least give it a go. Thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"

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Daily Painting #110 -- Expression #4

Another Expression for you today. This is sort of a running gag with Tom. If you haven't noticed by now, he's one of my favorite models. Tons of character to latch on to. He has just one occasional minor flaw... The ability to sleep in just about every position I can dream up!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #109 -- Expression 3

Another Expression for you today. This one was particularly interesting for me. There was some subtle forshortening going on around the chin. I didn't quite get it right away in the drawing stage... After a short break and a few altered lines, it just all came together! It's really surprising at times how the tiniest adjustment can make a huge difference.

I'll probably do another couple pieces with Tom over the next few weeks. I would like to try a few with a younger model some time soon too. It should make for an interesting contrast. Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #108 -- Expression 2

I had so much fun with the last one. I couldn't resist starting another one this morning. A great way to start out the week. I don't really want to define any of these, so I will leave that up to you. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #107 -- Expression 1

I was looking through an old book yesterday called "Creative Illustration" by Andrew Loomis 1947. (A great book to have on hand if you can track a copy down.) It's probably been a few years since I pulled it out. Anyway, flipping through, I came across a page of reference photos for various expressions. It looked like fun. So I figured I'd try a small series of Expressions. I hope you'll enjoy them. Feel free to send in requests...

Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"
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Daily Painting #106 -- Looking In

The last few months I've been totally immersed in some larger paintings. I've been pouring so much in to them that I really haven't had time for much else. Anyway, today I decided it was time for a break... And, it felt great!!! It was so nice to just loosen up and let things happen again. It was a fun, fresh subject for me... and at times, I think, we can all relate...

Well, before I ramble on too long. Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend!

Oil on Panel -- 7" x 6"

$100.00


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Daily Painting #105 -- Hand Study

I was in the mood to do something a bit more formal today. I really enjoy painting hands, though they usually play a secondary role in my work. It was fun to zoom in and do a bit more of a sustained study. It's been a while since I did anything like this. Really should make more of a habit of it.

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"

$100.00


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Daily Painting #104 -- Shelter

As a painter, I tend to be pretty opportunistic. When I saw how the light fell over this wrap, I knew it would make a nice painting. It was certainly a nice change of pace. I may just try another arrangement with this. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Canvas -- 9" x 12"
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Daily Painting #103 -- A Last Glance

We were asked to paint self portraits today. I thought it would be a great opportunity to try out a new idea. I've been using all sorts of doorways in the "Thresholds" series I've been working on. Recently I've been intrigued by the abstract way that they divide the canvas. I was curious to see how it would play pared down to just the shapes. I really like how the door frames echo each other in this piece. I felt that it almost created a narrative on it's own making the figure seem caught in between two worlds. Thanks for looking!

Oil on Canvas -- 11" x 10"

$400.00


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Daily Painting #102 -- A Good Read

Something a bit different today. I was in an odd mood this morning, and really wanted to work on a painting that I've had sitting in my head for a couple of years. Well turns out I didn't have any appropriately sized canvas stretched. So I ended up searching the internet just trying to put off stretching a canvas. I happened upon a few sites that I haven't hit in ages (links below) looking at some of their demos. It got me thinking that I haven't really discussed my process at all on this blog....


So I thought I'd put together a little demo today. I'm no teacher mind you, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. So here goes nothing...


My initial reference -- Boy making a mess





Step 1 -- A quick sketch in unthinned Burnt Sienna with a dry brush. About 10-20 min max.



Step 2 -- A quick block in of the fleshtones, getting the color to work is really my only concern here.



Step 3 -- Continuing to block in the hair...still keeping it simple. I also softened and added a more finished feel to the flesh tones.



Step 4 -- Finally on to the clothes. Again keeping it really quick and simple...





Step 5 -- The finish...on to the background and fine tuning the little details. I used alot of the background color into the hair and dark areas of the clothes to pull things together a bit more. This helps to create an overall feeling of light in the piece too. Once everything was covered, I went back in and focused on creating some variety in the edges especially with the hair and clothes. Here's the finished piece at actual size.


My palette for this painting was pretty limited but included : Titanium White, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cerulean Blue Hue and finally Ivory Black. I'll probably take the demo down in a few days, but I hope those of you that see this will enjoy it. If I've left anything out, or you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line. Don't for get to check out the amazing artist's I've linked to below! As always thanks for looking.

Happy Holidays!!

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"

$100.00


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Scott Burdick and Susan Lyon

Morgan Weistling

Daily Painting #101 -- The Post

Something a bit different today. We started getting greeting cards and Holiday wishes the other day. It was nice to hear updates on our family and friends. But more than that, they brought peace and a little warmth to us. With the weather lately, it was certainly a welcome departure. Anyway, I thought there was something universal in it...

Thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"
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Daily Painting #100 -- A Curious Eye

Well folks, here it is by popular request...My 100th Daily Painting!! Hopefully there will be many more to follow. I'd like to send out a big thank you to everyone who's subscribed and written me about my blog. I don't think I could have gone this far with it had it not been for all of you. I also hope everyone had a good holiday!

Thanks for looking!

8" x 6" -- Oil on Panel

$100.00


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Daily Painting #99 -- The Aging Guardian

Here's Jazz at her evening post. Come five every night, she starts guarding the stairs waiting for people to return from work. Personally, I think she's just waiting for food. Anyway, the last year or so, she won't actually venture down until she's absolutely positive someone's home. Then she lets the puppy in her out! I guess she's getting older, but it's interesting to see how she adapts to her new limits.

A little off topic, my 100th Daily Painting is on the horizon. Almost hard to believe! I'd like to make this one special, so I thought I'd ask you what you'd like to see. If there's something you've been missing or waiting for drop me a line, and we'll see ;o)

I hope everyone has a good weekend! Thanks for looking!

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"

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Daily Painting #98 -- The Question

I finally managed to steal a day! I've had a few projects going lately, and really just haven't had a spare moment in a while. I found this piece calling to me this morning, and just couldn't resist the urge to do something a bit more intimate. It felt great to just put it all aside and just paint! I wish you all a good weekend. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"

$100.00


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Daily Painting #97 -- Profile in Grays

Yet another character from the Cubs game. It's been nice to have some new faces to explore lately. I loved the backlighting on this gentleman. The contrast was wonderful. It gave me the opportunity to loosen up and use some bold strokes. The ambient light created some wonderful temperature shifts and grays in the skin. Some of the colors I wouldn't normaly use on flesh, but they really brought some blood and life through the grays.

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"
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Daily Painting #96 -- Night Game

Another wonderful character from the Cubs game. It was actually a day game, but I couldn't resist the dramatic lighting. I just love the glow eminating from behind the cotton candy. Exactly how any kid would have seen him.

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"

$100.00


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Daily Painting #95 -- The Fisherman

This was a wonderful joy to work on. This man was actually an usher at a Cubs game recently. Initially, I had planned on painting him in that context. But as I began the drawing for this piece, I felt the need to isolate him. As the day went, he began to take on another identity entirely! I kept picturing him as an old fisherman down to his yellow waders. He began to have such a wonderful aura, that I just had to run with it. I really can't explain it, but sometimes paintings just take on a direction of their own. What fun!

Oil on Panel -- 8" x 6"
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Daily Painting #94 -- Coffee!

I really needed a change of scenery today. I've been doing nothing but drawing the last few weeks. Really needed a change of pace. I figured a still life would be a nice way to spice things up a bit. Especially considering, I haven't painted a still life in over a year! After a little cleaning, I threw on some music, and quickly found myself completely immersed in the objects. It was a wonderful break from the phone, daytime tv and all the other distractions I usually contend with. I had forgotten how peaceful it can be down there. Actually found a cd I've been looking for forever too! It was a nice morning.

Just a quick side note. I will be posting some paintings on ebay at slightly discounted starting prices over the next few weeks. Just for a change of pace. So be sure to take a look. Who knows, I may slip a few surprises in over there too!

Oil on Panel -- 6" x 8"

$100.00



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Daily Painting #93 -- Another Room

This is a study for the Threshold series I've been working on for a while. In most of the paintings, the spaces play a subordinate roll to the figures. I thought it might be nice to try something different. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 8" * 6"

$100.00



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Daily Painting #92 -- A Late Night

This was a fun piece. There was a ton to handle in such a small space. But that's really what kept me interested. As things came together, I was able to loosen up and leave the focus on the figures. It almost felt like a reward for my patience. I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll leave the rest to you. Hope everyone has a good extended weekend. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 8" * 6"

$100.00



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Daily Painting #91 -- The Wanderer

I haven't done a hat painting in a while. This one was just begging to be done. I had a bunch of fun finding the form and features hidden under the hat. Thanks for looking. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Oil on panel -- 6" * 8"

$100.00



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Daily Painting #90 -- What Next?

There's a mirror right behind my study easel, that's typically covered in layers of references for one painting or another. Most of the pictures or sketches don't come down till the tape wears out. I happened to take a bunch down the other day, and was left with this staring back at me. It struck me that I must take this pose countless times a day. Either trying to gain perspective on a piece, or find a new one out there somewhere. Anyway, it seemed like a fitting way to start the week. Thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel - 6" * 8"

$100.00



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Daily Painting #89 -- Study in Red

Well this was a nice way to end the week. I really needed to loosen up today. I used this referrence in a project a while ago, but I was drawn back to it today. Being pretty familiar with the pose, I was able to just sit back and let things happen...Very Refreshing! Hope everyone has a great weekend. As always, thanks for looking.

Oil on Panel -- 8" * 6"

$100.00



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