New painting progressing well

I begin the painting by starting to add areas of color. These colors may change later when I can see how they are working together. I have already changed some of the colors from the original sketch.


As I add the orange areas I can better tell how the colors are reacting to each other.


Here I have painted in some of the darkest tones and the painting seems to be coming together nicely. Some of the colors may change as I get closer to being finished. On the next post I should be near completion. I enjoy experimenting with color and design as it makes the procedure so much more interesting and is also great learning process.

Happy Easter everyone !

Starting another new painting

Here is the color sketch for a new painting which was created on the computer. I will not necessarily follow the sketch exactly, but rather use it as a starting point.


I draw squares over the sketch which will enable me to easily transfer the image onto my canvas.


The drawing was done on the canvas using a marker pen. On the next post you will see various stages that I go through when adding the colors.

An interesting quote, something to think about.

Second half of MoonDream diptych finished

After transferring my drawing I begin by covering the canvas with an ochre color, then I start adding some of the white and color shapes.


I gradually add more color shapes and change some of the colors as I proceed. I don't exactly follow my color sketch, but change shapes and areas as I go along.


The finished painting next to the first painting. They seem to work together rather nicely together, but I may still work on them a bit. This diptych measures 96 x 48".

Artist's attributes

I've known and worked with many very successful artists in the fine and commercial art fields. They all possessed several interesting attributes which probably was the reason they were successful.

As an artist, especially in the fine arts, no one is going to force you to draw, paint or sculpt, you must be self-motivated. Do art every day, it must become a big part of your life. If you wanted to be a pianist, you certainly would practice every day.
In art school you can learn about drawing, color, design and composition. You're on your own when it comes to enthusiasm, energy, ideas and creativity.
Other interesting attributes are:

Three words of advice for art students

Practice doing a lot of drawings, it's something basic that will help you in the future. The computer is a marvelous and exciting medium, but you must have experience in the traditional mediums in order to have the necessary background to create digital images. When I was a kid, my friend Herb Schiebold, and I would always go out and do pencil sketches and watercolor paintings on the spot. This helped us greatly when we entered the commercial art field. Even just painting abstract color designs at home will help you develop as an artist. Also, have a few heroes, Visit museums and art galleries and read art magazines. You will find a few artists that you really enjoy and this will influence some of the work that you will be doing. It's all part of the growing process that artists must go through.