MORNING SKETCH

No two days  are ever the same, but I usually start my day with a pot of tea. I like to sketch what's outside my window.  Maybe I will start a series of my interior?  Layer diary of my surrounding might never turn into any illustration that sells, but so thankful I can do it.

MADONNA & CHILD

With tons of sketchbooks full of ideas, it takes a bit of serendipity to actually decide on a new project for 2015. My best friend's daughter just had a beautiful boy. It's special enough for me to sit down & start doodling. Borrowing from a classic theme, I'm approaching this Madonna & Child with more structure than my informal impressionistic works. 

Been refining the composition in a series of sketches. I use parallel strokes & cross hatching to add more life to this quiet study. With my aging eyesight, I wonder if I can still do figure painting.

MIX MEDIA

By the use of a few white & pink touches with my pastel onto the dark watercolor ground, I edited the shady secret garden into a brighter garden.

HOUSE PORTRAIT

Since one can blog about anything, thought I talk a little about my creative process. A house portrait commission came in last week. This is a good starting point to see how I create something out of a concept. Unless one can paint from the property, the trick is to get as many photos for reference as possible. Relying on a few px from client cant tell the whole story. I was lucky enough to spend time on this property over the years. This takes alot of the guesswork & stress out of this commission. I can just let myself respond emotionally & physically to the subject.