BADPAINTINGHABITS

Some Recent Work

2011-05-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

With very little time to paint I keep learning the same mistakes over again. That may not make sense but it seems appropriate.

Too Purple

2011-02-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

According to my wife this is too purple. You be the judge.

Some New Stuff In Color!

2010-12-30T20:05:00.000-08:00

I love just splashing on color and
seeing instant results.

Camera Phone better than Nothing

2010-12-15T04:49:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted any pictures of my latest works because of the lack of a decent camera. Well, it looks like my camera phone will just have to fill in. This painting of course has many over the top colors but fun none the less!

Whipping out Landscapes for Fun!

2010-11-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

I love painting like this, just slap it on and fix what's wrong!

Antelope Valley Fair 2010

2010-08-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

As an afterthought I entered some paintings in the fair this year. I did really good. My Elk in Green Meadow won 1st place and the elk in yellow meadow won 3rd in the same category. My lighthouse won 2nd place in landscapes but my Hawaiian sunset didn't win anything. People are so fickle, the sunset was the one all my friends said they liked the best. Go figure....

Trying New Stuff

2010-08-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am trying to paint more "action" scenes that includes the full figure. Also including some landscape, practicing edges and experimenting with a little on purpose blurriness. (Is that a word?) The subject of this painting was of a wedding of some of my fellow church members. It wasn't meant to be an exact likeness, good thing cause I couldn't quite get it and didn't want to spend a lot of time trying. My wife camera still sucks. The canvas is 16X20.

Camera Crisis

2010-08-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

My camera that I use to photograph my painting is not an expensive camera but it BROKE! I have some recent paintings but I have to use my wife's camera which takes really grainy yukkee pictures. Please bear with the poor quality of the pics.

Come Sail Away

2010-05-26T20:41:00.001-07:00

I've been working on this sailboat but somethings wrong with the skies. Maybe too detailed or too much highlight? Who knows.....

Pretty Sunset

2010-04-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

I loved painting this sunset because it was so simple with very few colors. It was very quick even though I painted the sky and water first and let that dry. Can't wait to varnish.

Trying to find time to Paint!

2010-04-15T06:21:00.001-07:00

It feels like I go weeks between painting sessions but that's what having a real job is like. Can't wait to retire!

Sunset Orange

2010-02-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

This 9x12 on canvas board was a blast to paint.

Cranking Out 8 X 10's

2010-01-25T06:15:00.000-08:00

I seem to be in my "Elk" phase, at least they are easy to paint. The grassy meadow painting is 8x10 on canvas board. The snowy scene is 11x14 on stretched canvas. Hopefully I can sell these for paint money!

Learning Landscapes

2009-12-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

Just whipping out some landscapes, not trying to get masterpieces, but attempting to learn with each one. I will probably sell the lighthouses, both are 16x20. The framed elk (8x10) turned out really nice.
The Morman fieldhouse is 8x10 and is sold to private collector.

Busy With Landscapes!

2009-11-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to whip out some landscapes because let's face it, I need some new paints so I have to try and sell these. My thanks to Margaret Kessler for all her landscape tips in her book. The blue water tropical scene is 9x12 and is in a private collection.

Tropical Island

2009-10-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Though I love portraits more than anything right now

I must occasionally do landscapes so that I can buy more paint. I usually sell these (11x14) so that they move fast. Sometimes I put them on display in the front seat of my truck at work and hope my fellow employees will bite. :)

I Love Redheads

2009-10-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

It's so much fun painting redheads, don't ask me why. This is one of my 50 1hour paintings as oppossed to 1 50hour painting.

Antelope Valley Fair 2009

2009-08-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

In the A.V. Fair this year I scored 3 Ribbons! My "Women in Black" won 1st Place and Judges Choice, my "Irish Maiden" won 3rd Place. I'm really excited to have some recognition for my labors. I am really thankful to David Darrow, http://www.darrowart.com/ , for helping shape me into an aspiring artist, and as an example of a real professional to keep me humble. :)

Fun and Games with Drawing

2009-08-01T05:32:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying charcoal drawing lately. Most of my subjects are famous people with excellent photos from the Internet. The best part is posting these pictures on Facebook and seeing if people can guess who they are. Often I am just humbled thinking I did a bad job but occasionally some of my friends guess correctly. Maybe I can draw Sponge Bob.

Dian

2009-07-15T18:10:00.001-07:00

My sister refuses to take any photos without flash so it is very difficult to find a reference photo. The ref used was of a picture of her before the chemo zapped it. Even with the flash this is the only photo of her without a smiley face. She loves to laugh. As you can see the grid system was used for the drawing. What a cheater! The canvas is a 8x10 canvas panel. Well, here goes........

done!

Venician Sunset

2009-06-18T18:56:00.001-07:00

On this 24 x 36 canvas I enjoyed this very busy painting of a river in Venice nearing sunset. I was a bit intimidated and I used too small of brushes for most of it. It looks better in even light. Still not sure if I should have dumped on a bunch more paint but it's very colorful. I think this one will go over my bed unless someone wants it for $250. Dreaming....

Men and Boys Campout 2007

2009-06-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

My thanks to Eric Hayes (3rd Verse Photography, megan@3rdverse.com) for uploading some great photos of the Men and Boys Camp Out in 2007. This painting of Pastor Tim Ruhl was a quick portrait of a mans man telling it like it is to a bunch of sinners. The most difficult part of painting this was to compensate for the shadows on his face, the reference photo has him in a shaded canopy of tree limbs. I am not sure I captured his likeness but I enjoyed doing it none the less.

Sunlite Women in Black

2009-06-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

It's been said that using black paint should be avoided if possible or at least sparingly. I couldn't find any way to avoid it in this painting but I like the result, it will even look better with some varnish.

Cover Girl

2009-05-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

This is a advertisement photo that I used to paint from, I am trying to get the shadow right under the brim of the hat. Its seems I am fighting my brushes on this one, I never seem to have the right one in my hand.

Now for the varnish.

Young Couple

2009-05-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

The lighting is an overcast sky but I decided to go ahead with this one anyway. The couple as subjects are friends of mine who have been role models for my sons. They both have interesting features and it was fun to paint. As usual I struggled with values and fought the overcast sky. I really need to use canvas that's a little smoother. I find myself being very stingy on paint and committing to paint heavier. Oh well, I'm not sure I did them justice but it least it looks like a human couple.

Taking A Break- (Sold)

2009-05-09T05:12:00.001-07:00

Took a short break from portraits to do a lighthouse. Struggled a bit with values. It's always values.....

Quick Cowboy

2009-05-06T14:51:00.000-07:00

This little cowboy was a quicky where I was attempting to catch his facial expression.

Quick Face

2009-05-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Still trying just to get the drawing right, need to fix the hunchback and figure out what's wrong with the face, other than I painted it!

Cabana Woman-Quick Sketch

2009-04-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Reading Richard Schmid's

book "Alla Prima, Everything I know about painting" has really helped me think about my painting differently. This was done without the grid system that I was using as a quick fix crutch. I need to develop my drawing using a paint brush so it's time to screw up my courage and go for it. I did not finish this but left it alone as it is. I need practice so I am not going to labor at this time on filling the canvas.

Quick Study

2009-04-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

A quick 11x14 study of a friend of mines son looking way too serious for his age.

Men and Boys Campout

2009-04-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

This Alla Prima is of my Pastor. The setting is at a Men and Boys Campout. I tried to keep this very loose and impressionistic. The hardest part about finishing this one will be knowing when to quit.... I did finish it and gave it to him for his birthday.

Cadet

2009-04-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

"Cadet" 11x14
I enjoyed painting this although I am STILL struggling with hard edges. Grabbing that blending fan brush and taking swipes at my meticulously detailed strokes is just so alien to me. I think I need a new brush for painting the background, I can't seem to get the same results as my mentor David Darrow. He uses a special brush for a lot of his backgrounds, the cheapo home depot china bristle. Oh well, time for the big investment.

Redhead in Blue

2009-04-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

The reference photo is relatively dark in the shadows, I am still monkeying with this painting trying to kill the hard edges (my biggest problem).

Gail

2009-03-19T06:26:00.001-07:00

"Gail" 11x14

This is one of my favorite people in the whole world.

It's not very often you can say that you actually like your mother in law but I sure can.

Devil's Punchbowl- (Sold)

2009-03-06T06:21:00.001-08:00

The reference for this picture is a bit cool for my liking but you learn by doing so here goes..... Trying to paint people is difficult enough, but painting people you know is really a challenge because everyone in your circle of friends will immediately look for what's wrong. Oh well, that's the challenge of portraits.

Irish Maiden with a Limited Palette

2009-02-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

On this painting I am using a limited palette that Andars Zorn made famous, the colors are white, yellow ochre, cad red, and black. I was inspired to try this by watching my long distance mentor David Darrow on ustreamtv. He is listed on my favorite artists list so you can check it out and I recommend his various sites. I am really loving working with a limited palette, it really makes you think about values.

Carol in Montana- (Sold)

2009-02-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

Carol is the daughter of a good friend of mine.

The reference photo was not ideal but I thought I would give it a shot. With every painting I realize more and more the importance of good reference photos and proper lighting. I will endeavor in the future to be more selective. Famous last words......

Fighter Pilot- (Sold)

2009-01-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

Here is the final photo of this painting, not yet varnished. It has been my privelege to paint this friend of mine and I thank him for his service to our country. He still flies for the Air Force and in the past has been a test pilot on the F117 Stealth Fighter program. This cat can actually fly a jet unlike Tom Cruise!

Paul 2

2009-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

My son Paul was kind enough to pose for some photos and I grabbed one to paint. I used a new painting medium which consisted of 1 part damar varnish, 1 part stand oil, 5 parts turpentine. It was a bit different but I liked it.

Montana Sky- (Sold)

2009-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

Some friends of mine have a beautiful retirement home in Montana. Thought I would take a stab at painting it from a photo. I'm not sure if I did it justice but for a quickie painting it will pass.

Brianna 1

2008-12-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

At a recent family gathering I snapped some photos of Brianna, my wife's niece. Of course the lighting was awful and the photo was out of focus but this was the closest I could get it. Maybe this study will encourage my camera shy relative to submit to some future picture taking sessions for a real painting.

Beach People- (Sold)

2008-12-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

Some friends of mine had this photo on their refrigerator

and I thought it might be fun to paint. Lots of interesting details and a bit of a challenge because they were sitting in the shade on a sunny beach. Normally these conditions may make for a bad reference choice but it's all I have so I'm giving it a good try. If I can't finish it well enough I can always put it with the rest of those lonely paintings that have no home, the garage. :)

Carey

2008-11-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

This portrait was fun to do and

it featured my favorite model Carey. She works real cheap and does what I tell her. By the way, she is my wife.

Painting Strangers

2008-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Susan Carlin for recommending the WetCanvas website where I found the reference photo for this painting. The canvas is 16X20 and it gave me a chance to paint big. Good reference photos are really hard to find!

Paul Giving the Look

2008-10-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is a loose artists interpretation of my son Paul. Painted in one day only as a test or an attempt at painting faster.

Carey in Bad Lighting

2008-10-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a quicky portrait of my wife with bad lighting, bad posing, etc. It sort of looks like her.

Blond Women

2008-10-05T15:35:00.001-07:00

This painting was fun to do and I believe that I learned a bit doing it. The more portraits I attempt the more I realize how much there is to this process, achieving a likeness is not easy.

Experimentation Continues II.........

2008-09-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

Lighting is so important in a painting and I am still struggling with transitions but I won't stop!

Experimentation Continues...

2008-09-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

I am still plugging away at portraits............

Derek Beasley, Collector of Fine Art

2008-08-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Not only am I learning the joys of painting I am also discovering the joy of collecting fine art. This recent addition called "Derek in Black Hat" is a David R. Darrow original, the subject of this portrait is ME! I am very happy to have this original and it was fun to pose for it and make a new friend in MR. Darrow.

Portraits, Portraits!

2008-08-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm still at it! Portraits, portraits, portraits! I just keep on plugging away at trying to get the human face to look human. Some art lessons from somebody who knew what they were doing might help about now.

Struggling with the Face!

2008-07-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

Trying to paint people seems to me to be the hardest thing, everybody KNOWS what people are to look like. My wife recently has been very understanding on my attempts to paint her portrait to the point of actually contorting her features to match my painting. I love her...

Anyway, I tried to paint this cowboy from a photo and as you can see I have a long way to go, but in the immortal words of one David Darrow, "You have to be willing to paint a whole bunch of crappy paints before you can paint good ones". Hee Hee

15 Minutes of Fame

2008-06-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

On a recent vacation to the San Diego area I had an opportunity to visit one of the great American portrait artists, David R. Darrow. I stopped by his studio (with his permission of course) and was allowed to tour the facility. From this studio Dave tapes his Internet painting show "Dave the Painting Guy". (http://www.davethepaintingguy.com/)

Imagine my surprise when he asked ME to be a live model for the next episode. I took him up on his offer and tried the modeling thing. It was more difficult than I would have imagined having to stay so still. All in all it was a wonderful experience and I will be ever grateful to Mr. Darrow for allowing me a look into the professional art world.

Some of my Recent Works

2008-05-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my recent works that my mom has been clammering to see.

Desert Sky

2008-05-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

I moved to the Desert about 15 years ago and sometimes the climate is unreal hot and miserable but on occasion it can blast into some wonderful colors. My thanks again for Mr. Yarnell for his inspiration for this painting.

Snowy River

2008-05-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that painting in acrylics is a lot more forgiving than oils because it dries very fast. It sure is hard for me to get it to blend. As you can see, I am still painting following the Jerry Yarnell instructional videos. I loved playing with the colors although they might be a little strong. Oh well, artistic license.

I Love Bird Watching!

2008-05-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

I have been a bird watcher for many years, therefore it's only natural to attempt to paint them. One of the things I am trying to learn is how to paint Light, it is difficult. Here was one of my first attempts at it......

Keys to the Kingdom

2008-05-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am mainly an acrylic painter because of the smelly scents coming from oil paints, I gave up hope of painting in oils until one of my 2 sons would move out of our home. That's won't be for a few years coming. While checking up on one of my favorite painters on the internet, a painter by the name of David R. Darrow (http://www.davethepaintingguy.com/), I discovered that Dave was allowing anyone to watch over his shoulder while he paints various projects. Wow, what a great learning tool! You can't learn painting techniques by reading about them in a book, you mostly learn by watching. Dave is certainly a master at his craft and has a great sense of humor to boot! One of the first things I learned watching was his use of Walnut Oil as a painting medium and brush cleaner hence NO SMELL (or at least a tolerable one). I CAN NOW OIL PAINT INSIDE THE HOUSE!

Thank you Dave.

Student Painting

2008-05-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

As a middle age man I find it difficult to learn to paint. I have always liked paintings by the masters and many professional artists. I don't believe that I have any natural artistic skill but I am willing to learn.

I have, believe it or not, been inspired by Bob Ross. He was able to painting great paintings in just 1/2 hour! Maybe if I take my time I might be able to as well...... I have also enjoyed the instructional videos by Jerry Yarnell on PBS. If you are familiar with with Jerry's work you will recognize many of his instructional paintings. Since these are only study paintings and I certainly not selling them ( I can't even give them away to relatives) I believe I can post them so my family and friends can see how my painting is coming along, or not coming along.