New Challenge

1/8 Sheet Fabriano Artistico 140 lbs CP watercolor paper, Daniel Smith and Grumbacher watercolors, Winsor & Newton Gouache

DH mostly works in colored pencil with aviation themes. DH challenged me to paint a plane. He gave me a type of plane as a reference. The clouds were easy. The hardest was to get the propeller correct. I had to use gouache to have the propeller movement show up. I used a great deal of my new favorite watercolor, Daniel Smith Opera Pink, which didn't pick up on the scan (it is mostly the reflections of the tail on the left wing and highlights.

I gave DH some of my photos to use as a reference to challenge him to draw something other than an airplane.

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.

Saturday Night Art

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezio sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache.

So goes my second attempt at gouache.

Tomatoes?

Tomatoes?
Originally uploaded by NeonFog

4 in x 6 in Fabriano Venezia sketchbook, Winsor & Newton Gouache
First attempt at working in gouache.
These should be tomatoes but that could be open to interpretation.