Shadow Portrait 2

Inspired by a previous sketch (Shadow Portrait 1), I incorporated a shadow portrait with a tropical sunset. Medium: Watercolor

Shadow Portrait 1

While walking on the beach I noticed that the sun had "painted" our portrait in the sand. Medium: Watercolor

Royal Street - New Orleans

Strengthen your observational skills by regularly doing timed sketches. Experiment with 5 minute and 10 minute periods. Medium: Medium ballpoint pen

Monet by Moonlight

Capture your pet's personality with a quick, whimsical sketch. Media: Medium ballpoint pen and Derwent colored pencils

Leaf Studies

I collected some interesting leaves while walking my dog; I made sketches when I returned home. Media: Medium ballpoint pen and collage

Cloud Studies

Improve your ability to depict skies by making one or more sketches everyday for one month. Medium: Watercolor

Henry VII Chapel - West Minster Abbey

Church interiors often present exciting visual patterns. Accept the challenge! Media: watercolor

Tombstone Graveyard and Courthouse

The pattern created by the rectangular gravestones transforms an ordinary scene into an interesting composition. Media: Pen and ink plus watercolor

Second Empire-Style House

I used an analogous color harmony to impart a dreamy nostalgic mood. Media: #1 Rapidiograph pen and watercolor

Wetmore House

Give a small house greater impact and drama by exaggerating the foreground trees. Medium: Brush and sepia ink wash

Newport Beach, CA

Lead the viewer's eye across the composition by repeating similar shapes (blue rectangular rooftops) and foliage (row of palm trees) Medium: Watercolor

Rearview Mirror Self-Portrait

Your car's rearview mirror is a unique format to explore. Media: medium ballpoint pen

Lunch at Boudro's

Never forget a memorable meal; make a quick sketch with written notes. Media: Micron .01 pen and Derwent  colored pencils

Nursery Flower Studies

Spend a happy morning or afternoon at a local nursery sketching fresh blossoms. Media: Micron .01 pen and watercolor

Leaning Trees

Frequent strong winds encouraged the trees to grow in the same direction establishing a soothing rhythm. Media: Pilot V5 pen and Derwent watercolor pencils with clear wash.

Picnic Spot

Composing a scene using a natural frame leads the viewer's eye to the focal point. Medium: Crayola crayons

Southwestern Still Life

Assemble a still life based on a specific theme--I've chosen southwestern Indian sculptures. Medium: 00 Rapidiograph pen

San Antonio Poster

View your hometown with fresh eyes. What images would you include if you were designing a poster? Original drawings were 8x10-inches. Medium: Pen and ink

Nature Study

Making a detailed study of a complex natural object is an excellent way to improve your observational skills. Medium: 4B pencil

"Spattered" Tree

Spatter is an effective method of simulating the visual texture of leaves. Media: watercolor and Derwent colored pencils

Amistad Reservoir

Peaceful views are easily achieved if you stress horizontal eye movement. A soft, low-key palette also imparts a restful mood. Medium: watercolor

Impressionistic Trees

Impressionistic paintings are a breeze to create. Draw with water soluble fiber point pens and drab selected areas with a paintbrush loaded with water. Medium: water soluble fiber point pens and water wash.

West Texas Mini-Landscapes

Making mini-sketches while riding in your car is great fun. Keep the scale small and use sketch materials that are quick and easy to use. Media: ballpoint pen (or fiber point pen) , black crayon, and watercolors (I recommend Winsor-Newton's mini set palette).

Canyon Lake (Version 1 and 2)

Experiment with different media and compare the results. Media Version 1: ultra-
fine fiber point pen and crayon. Medium Version 2: Derwent watercolor pencils and clear water wash.

Stuffed Poodle

The whimsical character of stuffed animals make delightful sketching subjects. Medium: Micron .01 pen

Floral Composition 1

When a busy background competes with your floral foreground, eliminate it by painting the background a solid color. Medium: watercolor and black gouache

The Alamo 1

When you're inspired by a building, but feeling overwhelmed (or time is limited) compose a cropped view. Choose the portion of the building you find most interesting. Medium: pen and brown ink

One Tree Seven Ways

Experiment with color harmonies. Don't get stuck in a rut repeating the same combinations. Note the different moods expressed by the examples that used a bright orange or a bright pink underdrawing. Media: colored pencil and watercolor

Floral Bouquet on Window Sill

Compose a floral painting by placing the bouquet on a window sill. The unusual setting can make a common subject more dramatic and interesting. Medium: watercolor

Ettal Abbey

Compositions that rely on symmetrical balance are formal and effectively express such ideas as solemnity, reliability, and strength. Medium: 00 Rapidiograph pen

Blue Heron

A sensitive rendering of a bird requires that you choose a characteristic pose. This is accomplished by careful, repeated observation. Medium: watercolor

Tree in Fog

Charcoal works best when your objective is to create loose, free drawings that rely on large masses.
Medium: charcoal on tinted paper

Eye Candy

Sunsets offer great opportunities to play with vivid color harmonies. Medium: watercolor.

Port Aransas

Change a scene's mood by using a monochrome color harmony. Adopting a low key palette dominated by cool blues and grays creates an ominous environment. Is a storm brewing? The actual weather that day was bright and sunny. Medium: watercolor.

Winter Trees

Depict a winter forest using a "worm's eye" perspective. Looking up creates a dramatic and unique view. Media: waterproof .01 pen and watercolor.

Flower Patterns

Arrange wildflower blossoms and leaves on a sheet of paper creating a flat, puzzle-like design. Lightly draw the arrangement then add color. Media: crayon and watercolor.