Letting my mind, and eyes, wander while looking at random textures or patterns is something I really enjoy doing. Growing up, my bedroom had both textured walls and ceiling so I had all sorts of creatures and scenes to look at. James Gurney did a great post on this...
Dec72016
Cloud Gazing
Nov162016
Dragon Maquette
I’ve been working on a dragon picture and it was suggested I create a maquette to help me figure out the anatomy. Sculpt a dragon? Sounds like a lovely idea to me! I thought I’d share some of the progress shots in an effort to assess what I did,...
Oct192016
Water Elemental Drawing
I needed this picture to tell a story and fit with the other three elementals but what story and how would it fit with the others? This piece had a lot of iterations to explore ideas. At one point I had the water elemental as more of a Naiad...
Sep292016
Studying a Masterwork
Doing a study of a masterwork can be a great way to learn. I have been in awe of the handling of color and value of many of the paintings on display at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis, MN so was thrilled to receive permission to do...
Sep72016
Flying Turtles Process
I’m not quite sure where it came from. The idea arrived, and delighted me with its silliness. I pretty much followed my usual process on this one: drawing, reference, value studies, color studies, paint. Line Drawing and Value Studies This time I drew on tracing paper and did minimal values with the...
Aug32016
Losing Steam, Regaining Momentum
The piece is almost done. It just needs that something more to finish it up but I’m losing steam. Here are a few things that have helped me reinvigorate myself to finish a project. Try and go back mentally and emotionally to that initial seed idea, or nugget that...
Jul282016
Is it Finished?
How do I know when a picture is done? I’ve been working on some new paintings lately. I want them to be the best that I can make them (with the skills I currently have), and at the same time they need to be done. I could paint, and...
Jul132016
Different Words Same Idea
I had a great conversation with another artist about the different ways we think about the same picture construction tools or methods. He thinks in terms of carving form out of space. I currently think in terms of building up form from the flat surface. They seem to be...
Jul62016
Is Your Media in Your Way?
In the context of getting ideas out and working out a picture, one of the things I learned at The Atelier was that maybe the media is in the way. There are many things happening when I’m generating ideas and working out a picture (I’m guessing others have a...
Jun302016
The Creative Process
What I mean by creative process is the process used by anyone who’s making something or finding a solution. This evening I’ll be participating in a panel discussion titled “Creative Process Across Disciplines” at CONvergence. (Sorry, you’ll need a membership for the convention to check out the panel). It’s...