Class Demo September 21,2015

"Holiday Tree Trio"

5"x7" Watercolor on 140# Cold press Paper

Arches Bright White

For this simple little painting, 

tear painter's tape in half 

and use the strips, torn side out,  to mask the tree shapes. 

I like an uneven number of trees.  

Make the trees different widths and use different spacing between the trees.

Paint your loose background above the fence base. I used only Ultramarine blue and Burnt sienna.

Carefully peal off the tape and finish your painting.

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Farm Near Reiff's Greenhouse

"Five Silos Farm"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Arches Bright White

This farm is just off the Rail Trail between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg PA.  

Lots of Mennonite buggies and bicycles passed by while I created this little painting. 

It is Sunday and they were heading home from church 

A curious couple stopped to see what I was doing.  

The husband said the silo on the far left is a recent addition to the farm. 

Sold

"Pride of the Susquehanna"

"Pride of the Susquehanna"

8"x10"

Watercolor on 300lb. Cold pressed paper

Plein Air Camp Hill.  

This is my submission for the week long competition.   There was some heavy rain on Wednesday. (Not good for watercolors). I painted the riverboat Thursday morning.  There were some big puddles left that I wanted to take advantage of.  This is on City Island, Harrisburg, PA. 

 Later this morning I will be competing in the Quick Draw event.  I'm still trying to decide what to paint for that!

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"Bucknell Hall"

"Bucknell Hall"

5"x7" Watercolor on 140lb. Fabriano 

Artistico, Traditioinal white block

Bucknell University is having their graduation ceremony this coming weekend.  

Bucknell Hall, dedicated in 1886, was renovated in 1988 for use as a poetry center and recital hall. It houses the Stadler Center for Poetry, named for benefactors Jack Stadler ('40) and his wife, Ralynn.

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"Nest Building"

"Nest Building"

7"x5" watercolor on 140lb. Fabriano Artistico block

Traditional white, 100% cotton

This little guy has been pulling my basket linings apart to build a nest.

I caught him with his mouth full. 

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"Atop Quebec City Gate"

"Atop Montreal Gate"
Oh no!  This is actually Quebec City!


NEW TITLE:  "Atop Quebec Gate"

7"x5"

Watercolor on Fabriano 140lb. 100%cotton 

Traditional white, Hot pressed block

This view is of the stairs leading down from the top of the old city wall.

We visited Montreal and Quebec City a few years ago and I took lots of photos.

Click here to purchase this painting

Watching Bird

"Watching Bird"

5.5"x 8.5" graphite on 90 lb. paper

I got The Urban Sketcher by Marc Taro Holmes at Brushstrokes last week.  

It is so well thought out and inspiring that I had to rush out and get a new "sketch" book.  

The quick sketch above is my first.  I like the idea of the old binoculars with the paper mache bird. 

Most of my sketch books are for water media, so this paper feels really smooth. 

Below are pictures of my subjects and the new sketch book and the new book.

"Cedar Waxwing" in Lewisburg PA

"Cedar Waxwing"

5"x7"watercolor on 140# hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Traditional White 100% cotton

A number of these birds have been hanging out in my backyard for the past week.  I think they are eating the berries from the hawthorn tree or maybe leftover crabapples.  They are definitely using the birdbath. This one is perched on a branch of the magnolia.

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Dale Engel Walker House

"Relaxing at the DaleEngleWalker House"
(Sold)

7"x5" Micron and Watercolor on Hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Traditional white 100% cotton

The reference photo for this watercolor was taken last April 

during the Merrill Linn Conservancy's first annual Plein Air demo and paint out.

They will be hosting the event again this coming April 26, 2015. 

Here is a link to find out more about the event. 

http://linnconservancy.org/about-us/plein-air/

Pennsylvania House Water Tower

"And Then It Was Gone"

The Pennsylvania House Water Tower

5"x7" watercolor 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100% cotton

The Pennsylvania House water tower was taken done last year

 in order to build a new shopping plaza.  

It was the first thing I spied coming into town on Route 15.  

The furniture manufacturer left town a few years earlier. 

Most of the machinery was shipped to China.  

I took my reference photo last spring when 

there were still a few patches of snow and lots of puddles on the ground.

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"Purple Posies" from Team Brushstrokes

"Purple Posies"

7"x5"pen and ink with watercolor on 140# hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Traditional White 100% cotton

 I received this lovely bouquet from Team Brushstrokes  

before I had my second cataract surgery last week. 

All went well and I completed this little painting today.

Thank you Brushstrokes!!

"Rooke Chapel", Spring 9x12

"Rooke Chapel"
Original Sold 

9"x12" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Arches 10"x14"block

Finally finished the Rooke Chapel on Bucknell University campus.

I did the final tweeks yesterday.
Prints available soon

"Ice on the Susquehanna", near The Fence

"Ice on the Susquehanna"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra white 100% cotton

I stopped on my way home today at the Fence. 

(local riverfront eatery with carhop service, open summers only).

I got a few pictures of the river with a good bit of ice still on it. 

I scared some geese and ducks, but a few came back before I left. 

"Ready to FIsh", Susquehanna RIver

"Ready to Fish"
Available

5"x7" watercolor on 140# hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Natural white 100% cotton

Snapped this reference photo last year on the Susquehanna River 

somewhere south of Lewisburg.  

These guys seemed to be in a hurry to get to their favorite fishing spot.

The ice on the river is really breaking up now.  It is making me think of summer activities.

"Bob's Taylor Guitar"

"Bob's Taylor Guitar"

5"x7" ink and watercolor on 140# hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Traditional white 100% cotton

Today is Bob's birthday, so I painted something that is Bob's.  

He must have been playing it while I was out teaching 

because it was on the window seat when I got home. 

Soldiers' Park, Lewisburg PA

"Soldiers' Park"
Sold

7"x5" watercolor on 140# coldpressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra white 100% cotton

I went out today to get a picture of the ice melting on the river.  

The shadows in the park seemed to be a better subject. 

The river is behind me in this painting. 

I took my painting kit and camera, but only used the camera. 

The sunlight and snow glare were killer.  

Deep Purple Pansy

"Deep Purple Pansy"

5"x7" India ink and watercolor on 140# hot pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Traditional white 100% cotton block

I purchased the flower yesterday and wanted to do an ink sketch.

Today I went out an got the new paper block.

I am looking forward to spring and planting these outdoors. 

In the meantime, I am happy to look at them in my warm kitchen.

"Summer Daisies", Acadia National Park, ME

"Summer Daisies"

(Sold)

5"x7"watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100% cotton

Daisies that I photographed last summer in Maine.  We were in the eastern

end of Acadia.  There were very few tourists here. 

"Spring Frocks" at Wilson & Ross

"Spring Frocks" at Wilson Ross 

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100% cotton block

Walked pasted this lovely spring window after work today.

I had to come back and take a photo so I could do a little painting.

It was so nice to see Spring outfits in spite of the cold and snow. 

Maine Sunset

"Maine Sunset"

(Sold)

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100% cotton block

A little sunset from photos taken last summer in Maine.

This is on the east side of Arcadia National Park.

Spring Crocus

"Spring Crocus"

7"x5" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100%cotton

It's snowing again today.  

I dug around until I found an old picture of crocuses.  

So here it is another small watercolor.

I am hoping spring is just around the corner.

Eric Sloan Museum, Kent CT

"Eric Sloan Museum"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White 100%cotton

We stopped at the Eric Sloan Museum along Rt. 7 in Connecticut last summer.

I had no idea we would be passing it when I spotted the sign.   It is in a very pretty location.

I got some nice pictures outside.  Unfortunately it was closed, so we will have to go back.   

Ultramarine Blue Birches

"Blue Birches"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White, 100% cotton

Ultramarine Blue.  

This is for my demo tomorrow in my watercolor class at the 

YMCA Arts Center in Sunbury PA.  It is the beginning of a new 

six week session.  We start with one color - Ultramarine Blue.

I will cover flat wash, masking with painters' tape, glazing, lifting, and scraping.

We will use a 1" flat brush, a medium round brush, and a liner/rigger brush.

Bees at the Orange Shop, Florida

"Bees at the Orange Shop"

7"x5" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White

There was a natural bee hive in the orchard at the Orange Shop 

in Citra, Florida.  I got a few photos of the hive. 

 It was a pretty cold morning and the bees were not going anywhere. 

It's interesting that they made vertical slabs of honey comb as if they were in a box hive 

The Orange Shop, Florida

"The Orange Shop"

7"x5" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

The Orange Shop was the furthest north orchard I could find 

in a Google search for 'Florida Farm Stands'.   

They had the sweetest oranges I have ever eaten!  The grapefruit was great too.

"One Lane Bridge", Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

"One Lane Bridge"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

Yellow signs yellow buildings and yellow road stripes.

I was hoping to capture the wet road, the dirty snow and the power lines, 

and the yellows.

Frozen Berries, west of Lewisburg,PA

"Frozen Berries"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold pressed paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

This is from a photo I took last February after a big snow storm.

The location is west of Lewisburg.

West Branch Train Bridge, Susquehanna River

"West Branch Train Bridge"

Susquehanna River

5"x7" watercolor on 140# Cold pressed paper

Fabriano Artistico Extra White block

I look left to see this train bridge when I am coming home from Sunbury.

It is at Shikellamy State Park.  Usually,  there is a really nice sunset.

"Sea Shell Study"

"Shell Study"

7"x5"watercolor on 140# cold pressed

Fabriano Artistico Extra White block

This study was a demo I did in my watercolor class today.  

I was showing how to crop a photograph using a makeshift viewfinder. 

We used two precut mats and overlapped two corners to find the best layout.

  

"Cold Yellow", Union County Barn

"Cold Yellow", Union County Barn

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold press paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

This barn is a few miles from town along the old turnpike road. (Rt. 45)

I like that there are a few different colors on barns around here. 

Those dark shapes are cattle to the right of the structure.  

"Snow Bound"

"Snow Bound"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold press paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

This scene is from a photograph I took along Route 22 west of 

Altoona, Pennsylvania.  I was on the way to my sister's house.

The trees were coated in ice. 

"Rooke Chapel",#4 complete, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel" #4 complete

12"x16" Oil on canvas

Finally.  This is the finished version of Rooke Chapel from the Feb. 4th post.

Bucknell University is three blocks away.  I'm planning on doing some plein air 

painting there this summer. 

"Frozen Bales"

"Frozen Bales"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold press paper

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

Snow covered bales of hay along the highway in Central Pennsylvania.

They just looked so sad and forgotten out there in the field. 

"Sea Shells a la Deb Watson"

"Sea Shells a la Deb Watson"

7"x10" watercolor on 140# Arches Cold press paper

We had a wonderful time today with watercolor artist Deb Watson.

The workshop was at the YMCA Arts Center in Sunbury, PA.

With very few colors and a bit of liquid masking fluid, everyone took home 

a beautiful painting of seashells in the sand.  

Round Barn in Winter

"Round Barn in Winter"

5"x7" watercolor on140#cold press 

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

This barn is on the road to State College from Lewisburg.  

I have taken dozens of photos of it but never painted it... until now.

There is a white house to the right behind the trees. 

"Red Barn in Winter"

"Red Barn in Winter"

5"x7" watercolor on140# cold press paper

Fabriano Blocco Per Artisti

This scene is just down the road from Yesterday's post. 

It is located between State College and Lewisburg, PA.

Union County Mules

"Union County Mules"

5"x7" watercolor 140# cold press

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

A tiny winter scene from a photograph I took last winter 

in the western end of Union County.

Happy Valentine's Day

"Happy Valentine's Day"

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano 140# cold press Blocco per Artisti

I got the cutest little box of chocolates today!

Thin Mints and Tagalongs

"Thin Mints and Tagalongs"
(Sold)

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano 140# cold press Blocco per Artisti

Painted this little watercolor before pilfering the contents of the boxes. 

You have to love Girl Scouts' cookies!

Cheerios

"Cheerios"

5"x7" watercolor on 140# cold press

Fabriano Blocco per Artisti

Yesterday was not a very good day.

Some times the only thing you can keep down is a handful of cheerios.

Bertrand Library, Bucknell University

"Bertrand Library", Winter 2015

5"x7" watercolor and ink

 on Fabriano 140#,50%cotton Blocco per Artisti

This is ink and watercolor.  I do a light pencil sketch, ink in the details, 

erase the pencil and then paint.  

This is one of my favorite ways to add detail to a really small painting.

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Dreamy Treetops

"Dreamy Treetops"

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano 140lb. Cold pressed Blocco per Artisti

Just a little watercolor of filtered light through some tree tops. 

The only reference for this is my mind. 

"Misty Birches"

"Misty Birches"

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano 140#,50%cotton Blocco per Artisti

 I was watching 'Snow White and the Huntsman' and liked the way the forest looked when she bit the poisoned apple. I thought I might do a little wintry scene to post.  Here is the forest without Snow White or the evil Queen.  This is really just my impression.  The film was on TV and I don't have tivo. :)

Rooke Chapel #5, Bucknell University

"Rooke Chapel #5" Bucknell University

8"x8" Fluid100 140# Cold Press paper

Back on the project of finding the best layout for Bucknell's Rooke Chapel. 

Montour Preserve, Winter Freeze

"Winter Freeze"

5"x7"watercolor

 Fabriano Artistico extra white 140# cold press block

It has been cold here this past week.  The snow is melting a little today, which always happens when Lewisburg puts on its Ice Festival.   Actually it was kind of perfect.  The ice sculptures should last longer than usual this year because another cold front is coming tomorrow.

I am painting snow scenes in my warm kitchen,  looking out on the snow.  The sun is shining. 

Life is good.

Click here to purchase this painting

Ice Carving, Lewisburg Ice Festival

Ice Carving Sketch

Watercolor on Pentalic watermedia sketch pad. 5"x8"

Tried my hand at plein air painting in 20 degree F temperature. 

The sketching was a little sketchy because I kept my gloves on to start.

I thought the paint would work better because I had a water-filled brush.  The paint was freezing as I tried to apply it to the paper making flat flakes of slush that could be brushed off.  I quit when the paper got too cold to accept any paint at all.

Snowy Hufnagle Park Gazebo, Lewisburg PA

"Snowy Gazebo"
(Sold)

5"x7" watercolor on Fabriano acquarello 140# extra white block

Time is short today so I painted a mini.  My reference photo is from last February.  

The Lewisburg Ice Festival is this weekend and I felt like painting something in 

the spirit of the event.  I think I will have to do a larger version of this when I have more time.

Rooke Chapel #4, Bucknell University (Part 1)

First 2 sessions painting "Rooke Chapel".

I hope to show the completion next Wednesday. 

Preliminary watercolor sketch (1/25/2015) 

in Canson XL Mix Media 7"x10" Sketchbook 

I was trying to figure out the colors of spring using a photo graph I took last month.

There is a light coating of snow in my reference photo.

Oil sketch on gessoed canvas. 12"x16" (1/28/2015)

I used thinned burnt sienna to tone the canvas, sketched the image with a small brush,

and wiped out the highlights with a soft paper towel.  

I am using water-soluble oils. I am slowly getting used to them.

First layer of color. 

I used slightly thicker paint to begin applying colors of the building. 

 A light value has been applied to the lower sky to define the background tree shapes.

Darks have been added to the forward trees and roads. 

Second session - Next layer. (2/4/2015)

I reapplied the brick color to the church, blocked in the background trees, established the weeping cherry tree near the chapel, blocked in some more shadows and foliage.