Virtual Paintout - San Francisco Bay Area - San Rafael

7 in x 9 in Bristol Board, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Another submission for Virtual Paintout this month.

This building is known as the San Rafael Improvement Club. Located at 5th Street and H Street in San Rafael, it is now under private ownership. It is one of two remaining buildings from the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition in San Francisco (FYI-the Wikipedia entry is incorrect about only one building left).

The building was located in at the Exhibition at the Palace of Liberal Arts which seems to be where all the current technological pavilions were located. This building was the Victor Talking Machine Company exhibit and moved to San Rafael after the Exhibition was over. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Monthly Sketch Project - February #3

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors
Created for the third installment of Monthly Sketch Project. Original Photo by Jennifer Rose.

Virtual Paintout - San Francisco Bay Area #2

9 in x 12 in Arches 140 lbs watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors

Here we are on the other side of Larkspur for my second Virtual Paintout of this month. It is the Alexander Ave Train Overpass looking towards Mt Tam. A very easy bike ride from where I live and one of my very favorite places. Today instead of Northwestern Pacific trains and track it overlooks a walk-bike path and is part of the Baltimore Park station area.

As the bridge is over 80 years it needs retrofitting. Unfortunately some of the designs proposed completely destroy the look of the bridge. Yes, if you walk underneath it you can see it needs help. But it is a beautiful and unique bridge and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mardi Gras

I am not a party person. But something made me create this for this week's Mixed Media Monday -Mardi Gras. The hand-drawn fleur-de-lis were tough.

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb watercolor paper, Sharpie Poster Paint, Copic Markers, Liquitex acrylic paint, various magazine, catelog and junk mail cut-outs

Tulips

I was painting tulips today.


4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolors (note ribbon bookmark surprise appearance)

9 in x 12 in Strathmore 400 Series 60 lbs sketchbook, Pentel Color Brushes

3 in x 4.5 in Yupo paper, Daniel Smith watercolors

The Yupo paper I purchased last week when DH needed some colored pencils. When we walked in to the Dick Blick store, we found out everything was 20 % off that day, plus I got a free sketchbook (like I need one), a 40 % off coupon (hence the Yupo paper) PLUS another 10 % with a Dick Blick Preferred customer card.

Ducks on the Pond or Fountain Pt3

8 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia sketchbook paper, Winsor & Newton watercolors

Nice day today. Mom wanted to go to her favorite spot at the Larkspur Landing fountain.

I think I may have projected my thoughts on the fountain in the male duck's expression. This is the best replacement for the old fountain?

The table we sat at had a cut out pattern. I placed the paper under the table and traced thru the punch out.

Catching Up on Sketches

I am catching up on sketches I wanted to do. Last year I took several pictures I wanted to sketch and finally have done a few.

Jackson, California - Kennedy Mine
4.5 in x 6 in Canson 90 lbs watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton and Grumbacher watercolor

Locke, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Recycle Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

Cathedral, Lake Merritt, Oakland, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Recycle Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

Donkey, Children's Fairyland, Oakland, California
9 in x 12 in Strathmore Sketchbook paper, Pentel Color Brush

EDM #250 - Draw Something You Got For Free

EDM #250 - Draw Something You Got For Free
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

9 in x 12 in Strathmore 400 Series Premium Recycled SketchBook, Pental Color Brush - Grey

A gift from a friend several years ago. It is a singing Dean Martin. His head, jaw, and arms move when he sings.

Monthly Sketch Project - Landscape

Monthly Sketch Project - Landscape
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 Lbs CP watercolor paper, W&N and Grumbacher watercolors

Created for Monthly Sketch Project

Picture Credit: Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Monthly Sketch Project - February #1

Monthly Sketch Project - February #1
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

6.25 in x 10 in Canson 90 lb CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith Watercolors

Trying out Daniel Smith Extra FIne watercolors with a limited palette of four colors: Lemon Yellow, Alizarin Crimson, French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna
The scan does not do the color of the piece justice.

Created for Monthly Sketch Project - February 2010:
Photo credit: Chrissy

Joint Art Project

Both pieces - copier paper, ballpoint pen, PITT pens and Copic Maker, approximately, 4 in by 6 in

I wish I could say I drew these. DH's computer is in the shop so he has been doodling. He asked me to color them in. Our first collaboration in art.

Virtual Paintout - My 'Hood

9 in x 12 in Canson 90 lb Cold Press watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton Gouache
I had this "feeling" last week the next Virtual Paintout would be the Bay Area. I was right.

I loved Corsica the subject of January's Virtual Paintout. I explored nearly every inch of the island that I got to recognize the locations of the paintings people created. But the place where you were born and raised and lived your whole life - hmm a real challenge since I know it so well (I forget how stunning the Golden Gate Bridge is especially since I commuted over it twice a day every weekday for years).

As for subjects - Google Maps does have the street views of both DH's and my cars parked at work. Not the most scenic views of Oakland and San Rafael.

I decided to keep within a mile or so of where I live. Unfortunately the Google Map of our street and apartment is not so exciting. I went for the statue of Sir Francis Drake located on Sir Francis Drake Blvd at Larkspur Landing just down the street a bit. Mt Tam is located in the background. Very,very local. I have written about Larkspur Landing previously. The statue is by Dennis Patton who created another sculpture a couple of blocks from our home which is also on Google Maps (I may paint her).

Sir Francis Drake is said to have landing briefly here and left a bronze plaque.

Welcome to my Bay Area ,Virtual Paintout folks! Have fun and visit often. Let me know if you need directions.

Wolf Moon Over Mt Tam

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache
A picture from memory. I was out very early Saturday morning and the moon was out as well.