Black Crowned Night Heron Completed

This painting is done and I am pleased with it. The photo would be better taken outside in more even lighting but alas there is way too much snow out there so that project will have to wait.

Heron Update

I've had a little time today to work on the heron painting. One thing I really like about it is the soft mist in the background and how the fog extends to create a border. It's been snowing all day and staying home and painting seems the thing to do.

Black Crowned Night Heron

My last blog entry was Oct.30? This blog is covered with dust and cobwebs. I have been out of my studio since then dealing with some major family health issues. My mom has been ill but she is stabilized now and slowly improving and I find that I have time to spend a few days a week in my studio. I don't think I have ever gone this long without painting since I began years ago and it is really strange getting started up again. I wandered around in circles, dithering over what to begin then finally settled on this one which I had blocked out last spring and abandoned for no good reason. I've put enough time into it to feel reasonably sure it will survive and I'll add updates as it progresses.
These herons live over on the coast and spend the days roosting in trees like this monterey cypress looking sleepy or cranky, depending on the mood.

Autumn Leaves: Black Oak

Up until today the woods has been beautiful with the golden splashes of color from the black oaks amongst the pines. Today the wind is howling and leaves are flying through the air, so it will remain to be seen what will be left after this passes. This watercolor sketch is from a photo I took on a hike a few days ago.

Valley Morning

Here is a watercolor sketch of the view down the valley the other day. The rabbitbrush is still in bloom, giving spots of gold amongst the sage.

Outlook

Here is a small watercolor sketch of the outlook on the way up the mountain. Layers and layers of pine and oak and the distant mountains are faintly purple.

Completed Red Pears

Well, at last here it is. I've had a tough time getting enough studio time lately but today was the day for getting this one finished up.