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Back log: 7/16/201 - 7/19/2012

Monday, July 16 2012

Hill and 8^th

La Esquina del Sabor

Process: pencil sketch, watercolor wash, dry on wet, watercolor pencil

I think that’s the last time I use Canson watercolor paper. What garbage! It is inconsistent and unpredictable. Arches 140lb cold pressed is so much better. It handles washes well and the pigment settles in at a predictable rate. It also holds up better and gives more consistent washes. I was really enjoying my sketch but that paper could not handle simple work.

Activity I noticed on 8^th and hill: people waiting for the bus and getting off the bus for work. Almost no one stops for coffee here. The payphones are much more popular.

Today was overcast again this morning. The sun didn’t pop out until after 10AM and changed my light way too much. It was so bright I could not make out colors.

I see potential in this composition for narrative. By focusing on a limited site rather than a grand scale I think it is more personable and approachable. I will revisit this one for sure. Later I will try LA Café from across the street.

Tuesday, July 17 2012

Grand Central Market

China Café

Process: pencil sketch, watercolor wash, dry on wet, watercolor pencil

Today I met and interviewed Alex Schaefer. It became clear to me, and Alex helped to bring this up, that the interactions with all those people in the street are just as important, if not maybe sometimes more important than the painting itself. There is so much to learn from the encounters with local people! I am also excited for the prospect of meeting other artists and painting together.

Afterwards I stopped at the Grand Central Market for lunch and a sketch. It is always so busy here. Last time I came through I was conflicted by actually getting a seat at the counter of China Café or hanging back and painting it. I wanted to experience it last time, so this time I sat back and painted the action. The China Café is not nearly as good as the carnitas place.

Wednesday, July 18 2012 2AM

Tonight I noticed a B-boy dancer practicing in the parking lot across from my apartment. I’ve seen them do this before, but tonight I was inspired to draw him. I spent too much time out of the gate drawing the scene and not focusing on the dancer. By the time I got to the dancer, he had moved out of the scene. I realized that I can draw that part anytime, and that I should do some gesture drawings of the dancer. He moved like a robot. It was tough, he was so fast and his moves did not look human. At one point he broke out the guns like dirty harry. He is hard to draw when he moves his shoulders up and hands down.

Wednesday, July 18 2012

Grand Hope Park

Soccer in the Park

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, watercolor pencil

I decided to try Grand Hope Park again in the early afternoon, midweek. I figured there would be more people in the park, and I was right. A group of people were playing soccer. Some came and joined in and left. I tried out my new view finder today and I like how it really helps me place things.

I thought a different view of the park today might be nice. I liked the big tree and the jungle gym in the background. The soccer game picked up now and again. It was tough to draw the figures who were constantly moving.

Today I conducted a phone interview with Diego Cordosa. He was short spoken but gave me a good description of his process and motivation. He works quite different from Alex and John who both do plein air. Diego works in acrylics from photos. There is definitely a different spirit to their paintings, John and Alex were also much more animated.

Thursday, July 19 2012

Runyon Canyon

LA Skyline

Process: watercolor wash

Today I met and interviewed John Kilduff. After looking at his painting of LA from Mulholland Drive, I was inspired to check it out. I drove from one end to the other. There were two placed to hike, one a former NIKE missile site and the other near the Hollywood Bowl is Runyon Canyon Park. You can see all of LA up there. I hiked out and set up to paint, but it was so hot and I was burning badly. I got a short sketch of the skyline. I will go back better prepared.

Back log: 7/6/2012 - 7/14/2012

Friday, July 6, 2012

Afternoon

LA Café

LA Café

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet,

It is a warm afternoon, very sunny and beautiful. The cafes along Spring Street are busy. There are a lot of people out walking dogs and riding bikes. There are some interesting things to paint near LA Café including the lamp posts benches, trees, cars and people. This is challenging trying to include so many details and maintain space and perspective.

Saturday, July 7 2012

Evening (just before sunset)

Broadway, near 8^th street

View of Eastern and Tower Buildings from Los Angeles Brewing

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pencil

The Eastern Building in particular is very fascinating. It represents the prime example of art deco in the theater district. This angle was difficult and did not capture the composition I was after. The sketch I made on the back of the watercolor based on the first is a better representation of the desired composition.

Sunday, July 8 2012

3:30 – 5:00 PM

In front of the Globe Theater, Broadway between 7^th and 8^th Street

View of Broadway From The Globe Theater

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pencil

This one is 100 feet back from yesterday’s sketch at Los Angeles Brewing Company. It was hot in the direct sun but this angle was much better and allowed me to develop a stronger composition. Today I looked head on instead of over my shoulder as well. This made it easier to stay focused on my perspective. I like the strong pencil lines and I am tempted to ink this one.

Tuesday, July 10 2012

2:00 – 3:00 PM

Angels Knoll

View from Angel’s Knoll

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pen

Today is hot. I checked out a few spots on my walk, but there isn’t much shade and a few spots that have caught my interest were busy. I’ve been thinking of drawing from Bunker Hill a few times before so I decided to check out the park on the hill, Angles Knoll. The shade and cool breeze was very welcomed on this hot day. It must be close to 95 degrees! It was tough to get a good vantage point through all the trees. There is a more wide view, but today after a few tries I decided to just focus my attention toward city hall.

A short walk north led to a better view of City Hall and actually the view Ed Kosa (1931) used. It is much different now with all the growth. Where he stood is now a parking garage that would provide a great view, but lacking in narrative potential. A more wide view from the park would be better. By extending my composition down, I could show more park and more people. The trees provide a nice contrast of cool shadows as well.

Tuesday, July 10 2012

3:30 – 6:00 PM

Near 7^th and Grand

Diamond Exchange Theater

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pencil

“Take your diamonds and throw ‘em up like ya bulimic…”

I’ve admired this Diamond Exchange Building for months. It makes me think of Kanye West.  It is very classy looking though. The sun shining down 7^th lights it up with golden highlights. Most of 7^th street sits in shadow at this hour.

The street is really busy with people going to and from work. Mostly from. Students too. Many people stop to see what I’m doing. I’ve gotten many compliments and some even stop to talk a bit. It is hard to find the narrative other than that. People coming and going. Although this is the jewelry district it is hard to tell if anyone is even looking at jewelry. The old woman at the small newsstand seems to hold the most potential.

With this scale, I could not fit the whole view. I chopped the farther end of 7^th past hope. I kept what interested me most.

Wednesday, July 11 2012

4:00 – 5:30 PM

7^th Street near Grand again

Today was tough. I spent a lot of extra time cutting paper and going through previous sketches. I used wider paper today in hopes of getting the scene right this time. I tried twice, but could not fit everything again. I think tomorrow I need to draw some place with people. Maybe the park. I need to develop my narrative, and so far I didn’t they are quite showing up. I have been concentrating on the scenes. Maybe I need to focus more on what people are doing. So far I feel that the sites help represent a bit of LA culture, but I need more of the human side.

Thursday, July 12 2012

1:00 – 4:45 PM

Pershing Square

Pershing Square

8x10” 140lb Canson cold pressed paper

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pencil hatching

Today is mostly cloudy which makes for low contrast drab. I woke up early but was uninspired. I got a late start. I decided to walk to the park, but on my way I realized my painting form LA Café should be from the other side of the street or in a way where you can see the café better.

The park is filled with people relaxing and easting lunch. Occupy LA is here drumming and dancing. The park is pretty lively on this cloudy day. At least I don’t have to worry about sunburn.

I talked to a lot of people today as they walked through. A lot just had nice comments, a few even stopped and chatted for a while. One couple stopped for a while and eventually asked if I felt a spiritual connection to the scenes I painted. Was there divinity involved? I think they tried to inject just a little too much into my work. He told me he saw “God at work in there.” The occupy folks were very talkative and interested. They stopped by a lot.

So far, out of all my LA paintings, I like this one best. I think the people finally exist as a dominant subject. I enjoyed the bright color and split compliments. The paper is much different and absorbs the pigment quicker and deeper. Not sure how I feel about it yet.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Today is super hot and I am not feeling well. I walked by FIDM campus today on my home from the store and I realized that Grand Hope Park is right there. It is the park right in the middle of campus, but it is a city park not just FIDM property. It was very lively with people playing Frisbee and such. I will paint here tomorrow.

Saturday, July 14 2012

Grand Hope Park

Grand Hope Park

8x10” 140lb Canson cold pressed paper

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pencil

It is a bit cooler today than its been this week. The park is dead. Only people napping or reading. A few people sitting and relaxing. It is a very pretty park. Much more of a park than Pershing Square. It has an interesting view of the LA skyline from here. Walking around the arts and fashion districts and drawing this week I’ve come to realize many of the buildings have Spanish roofs. It is surprising to see on modern city buildings. I also have been getting more familiar with the order of the streets, from Fig to Los Angeles. That used to really confuse me.

Back log: 6/28/2012 - 7/3/2012

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Evening, near sunset

Drive to Mammoth Mountain

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet

The mountains were very beautiful in the low and setting sun, reflecting a golden/reddish brown.  The scenery changed so quickly that the mountains and scenery I sketched in pencil were gone by the end of the first complete wash. It was tough to paint in the moving car, but I felt compelled to capture the beautiful glowing mountains and the road winding on. 

Friday, June 29, 2012

Sometime afternoon

Coldwater Creek Campground

View of Mountains, Looking East From Our Campsite

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, titanium white gouache

The mountains here are amazing; very bold. Some reflect blues and violets, while others reflect reddish brown or gold. We are surrounded by thick pine growth. Although it is the end of June and it gets up to the 90’s during the day, there is still snow pack up in the high elevations. In the sun it is very hot, but when the sun dips behind a tree it gets very cold quickly. I find myself out of breath quickly too because of the elevation. The sky has been very bright and cloudless. We have great weather despite the cold at night.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Afternoon

Inyo National Forrest

Rainbow Falls

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, white gouache, pencil hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling.

We hiked in 2-3 miles up and around Devil’s Post Pile. The falls were very beautiful, spraying mist everywhere and creating rainbows across the middle and bottom of the 100 foot drop. Trees and other natural features like rocks and cliffs have helped me frame my compositions making it easier to work without a viewfinder.

These falls were difficult to paint with the water coming so fast. I did not make out the patterns at first and began washing in the blue rocks behind the falls too hastily. Wash and pencil sketch worked the cliffs, middle and background easy and effective enough. The shadows on the cliffs were tough with all the mist. Plus I wanted to capture the rainbows.

After completing this in one sitting, I went in the next morning and added some pencil work to solidify my forms and develop the shadows a bit more. Also I added some texture and suggestion of water current since the gouache did not quite cut it.

 

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Morning, after bear encounter #3

Coldwater Creek Campground

Bear Encounter #2

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, pencil outlining and hatching

Bear encounter 1 and 2 occurred last night. I sketched encounter 2 from memory. This 300 pound bear cub wandered into our campsite as we sat near the fire. He was so quiet that we didn’t notice until he was across the fire. Our alarm sent this friendly bear running. Dude didn’t even alert the camp host’s dogs!

 

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Afternoon

On the Shore of Lake Mary Looking North

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet

I noticed this view on the first day from the car. The glowing red mountain struck me. The opposite mountain is dull yellow and olive green with a bit of snow. Today was one of the first with clouds. The sienna glowing hill reflects in the lake to contrast the reflection of the bright sky. I enjoyed painting this one.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Late afternoon

On the Shore of Lake Mary Looking South

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, watercolor pencil, white gouache, pencil hatching

This is another view I noticed the first day from the car. The jagged mountains have so much character. Snow! Lots of patches too. The shifting shadows in the pines were difficult. I enjoyed the hatching. I think it was important to give the mountains their strong form.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Afternoon

Yosemite National Park

El Capitan

Process: Pencil sketch, watercolor wash, wet on wet, dry on wet, pen

This has been an amazing trip. I wish I had more time in Yosemite, but I will definitely have to make another trip back here specifically. I want to paint everything! Yesterday’s drive over the pass and through the park was fantastic. In fact the view of this particular rock was better because the right half fell into shadow much more. We were so busy traveling and looking around and hiking that I did not paint much. I need to come back to devote some proper time to painting. There are just so many people here this weekend too. Too many. That’s the breaks when the holiday is right here. I am sad to have to go home, but I have much to do ahead. This was a much needed break. I have not looked at a watch and it was great to not have internet or even cell service through most of this trip. Showers will be nice though!