Tree Study

This is a little tree study I did in Hunter, NY. The roots were that gnarly, there was no embellishment.

Yet Another

This is a 6"x8" study I did of North Lake. I decided to paint for the same location Thomas Cole had painted from. They had a plaque that marked the location. It was interesting to see the liberties that he took with what he saw and what he painted in painting that location of North Lake.

This is his painting.

En Plein Air

My attempts at painting weren't as successful as my drawings. I spent the first couple of weeks painting on panel that was too slick, luckily I had a friend who was able to bring me back some canvas from NYC.

Rainy Days

A day into the workshop my $7.00 folding chair broke. So, I was left to find a rock or log for support for several days until the new chair I ordered arrived. Unfortunately it rain several of those days I was waiting, oh did I forget to mention that I was waiting for my umbrella as well. One of the days I was waiting it happened to rain. I remember it fondly, sitting on a towel on a rock, slightly sheltered by the branches of the trees, with my sketchbook and only my poncho to cover me in what seemed like a monsoon. Despite the circumstances I felt like I was able to produce a fair drawing. Note: The dark specks are were the paper was wet and I drew into it, making it impossible to erase.

For anyone wanting to see photos of the workshop you can check them out here

Take Courage

As I mentioned before, attending the Hudson River School for Landscape Painting (HRSL) was a great experience in large part because I was introduced to so many talented artist that shared similar desires to paint the landscape. Here is a link to a list of those artist here

I am posting a couple more of my drawings from HRSL. It was humbling to be around such talented artist and display my meager attempts. But I took courage in Durand advice in his letters on landscape painting. He advised students not to get discouraged with failed attempts but to "meet with courage and perseverance every difficulty in the progress of your studies, and patiently endure the frequent discouragements attending your failures and imperfect efforts."

Tree Studies

This summer I had the chance to attend the Hudson River School for Landscape Painting. It was a great experience to be surrounded by talented artists and a beautiful landscape (when it wasn't raining).

On the recommended reading list was a series of letters that Asher Durand wrote for inspiring landscape artist. In the first letter he advised the student to "master the pencil first" and "draw with scrupulous fidelity the outlines and contours of sych objects that you select". He further advised the student to begin mastering the components of the landscape such as rocks, trees and foreground plants as a prelude to painting finished landscapes. These are my attempts to follow his advice. There will be more forthcoming.

Building Concept Art

Here is some concept art for Kingdom for Keiflings.

"Stream" 6"x8"

I started my own series of daily paintings for sale. This was from when I was at the Hudson River School for Landscape Painting.

click to bid

Busy

Sorry for the lack of updates I've been real busy. This a concept painting that I finished while working on Kingdom For Keiflings. I'll post some of my artwork from the Hudson River School for Landscape Painting when time permits.

Take A Bow

Let me set the stage. A few of my co-workers and I decide to head Fuddruckers for lunch to celebrate my last day at work before my trip to NY. I had mentioned that fuddruckers had a one pound burger, and that I was thinking of getting it. A few of my coworkers doubted my abilities, so I had to do the only logical thing - step up to the plate. In my case I opted for extras - mushrooms, onions and swiss cheese, not to mention the lettuce and tomatoes. So, there I was with only one pound of beef to stand in between me and immortality. As I stared that patty in the face I knew that I would literally have my hands full. It was a daunting task to say the least, but I was up for the challenge. It seemed that 1/3 of the through that I was slowing down, and it appeared for a time that the "one pounder" had the upper hand, but with my co-workers cheering me on and time on my side I prevailed and with my dignity in tacked as well.

For those hoping to see some artwork I'm leaving soon for the Hudson River School for Landscape Painting and promise to post the results of that adventure. Till then, may your patties always be well done and your buns slightly toasted.

A Kingdom For Keflings

The project that I have been working on at Wahoo Studios has been announced. The name of the game is A Kingdom For Keflings. I am not at liberty to say much other than it is a city-building game that involves little creatures named Keflings. I was fortunate enough to design the characters and buildings. It will be released this fall on Xbox LIVE Arcade. I'll post updates (maybe some concept art) as time goes on. Here is a teaser trailer for those interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXTxBRiyKSs

The Hudson River School of Landscape Painting

It is official, I've been accepted into the Hudson River School of Landscape Painting. It is a 6 week intensive landscape painting workshop in the Catskill region of New York. The instructors will be Jacob Collins, Nicholas Hiltner, Edward Minoff, and Travis Schlaht. Aside from having amazing instructors tuition and housing are provided for at no cost. Those who are interested can check it out at www.hudsonriverlandscape.com/about.html

Fear Not

I got a moleskin sketchbook about a year ago from my mom for my birthday. The sketchbook is nice, maybe a little too nice. It is a little intimidating to draw in, in fear that the drawing may degrade the sketchbook. Well last weekend I overcame that fear and put pencil to paper and this was the result. I feel safe to say that the sketchbook has now increase in value having had drawn in it. Moral: fear not!

Drawings

These are a couple of drawings that I have been working on. I plan to do several other variations.

Mustache March

I know what your thinking, were can I get a mustache like that! This baby has been a labor of love. I wake up each morning and look in the mirror and think to myself - I look like a complete fool. If it weren't for a contest we are having at work I wouldn't be so courageous. We have until the last Friday in March to see who can grow the best looking mustache. The contest really should have been to see who can keep their mustache the longest. We started with about 15 people and after the first week it was cut in half. Only a real man can walk around looking people in the eyes when he know full well that he looks ridiculous with a mustache. Hopefully I can go the distance, only a week left. Meanwhile you can remain jealous knowing that you can never grow something as hideous as this mustache.

Memory Drawing

I have come to the conclusion that I am shallow. Shallow in terms of my imagination. So I've determined to make that weakness a strength. I have a small sketchbook that I have for drawing compositions and faces. I got the idea from James Gurney's post about his Facebook. The idea is to find a face that has certain characteristics that appeal to me and draw it from observation. The objective is to concentrate on observing structure and specific facial characteristics in order to later draw the same face from memory. The result is the impression of what you have observed. Later when I am drawing from imagination my brain can call upon these observations to inform my imaginative drawings. These were done with a ball point pen. Total time is 30 mins.

Jared

This is an oil painting that I finished in November of a good friend of mine.

Another Drawing

Here is another drawing. I used a blending stump to create softer edges. Trying to work on incorporating atmosphere and form.

Finished

Finally! I can now say that it is finished.

Staying Warm

With staying true to my new year resolution I spent some time yesterday morning drawing from life. This drawing was done from my living room. Needless to say I couldn't ask for better a better drawing situation. One of these days I'll muster up enough courage to brave the elements.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I'm feeling rather ambitious this year. There are a ton of things that I want to accomplish as an artist. Next week I start a figure painting class from the master, Patrick Devonas. I can't wait! In addition to the figure painting class I plan on drawing in my sketchbook from life. Something I've been meaning to do a lot more of, but never made the time.