Central Park

My newest pastel work is from a photograph I took last year while visiting NYC. It's a view from Central Park. Although the buildings in the background are an important piece of the compostion, I didn't want them to be the focus, so made them very sketchy. It was a bright day, and the front of the buildings were very light against a gray-blue sky. This is why I used a gray-blue sanded paper. It's small, 9 x 12 inches, so I used a lot of hard pastels that I had more control over.

View From My Studio

I'm Back!

Our computer is up and running again, HURRAH!!!! I now have a backlog of images to post, but will try to go slow, no need to bombard you with everything at once!

I did this painting recently of my view out the window of my studio. Remember, this is mid-winter. The day was gray, but not completely overcast, so there is some lights and shadows contrast on the buildings, but the color is very low-key, with not much detail visible. I think I've captured the feel of the view I could see.

Heart of the City, Canal

This painting is of the view seen when coming out from under a pedestrian bridge while walking the canal downtown, just south of the Eiteljorg Museum. It is a view I have admired for some time, and finally took a camera with me on my walk to get this shot. The painting was done entirely in the studio.

This is the first painting I've started and finished while at my studio. I'm pleased with it, and certainly wouldn't have done as well without the comments/advice/guidance from fellow artists at the Stutz. I am definitley loving the art community here!

Fountain at Butler

This was a difficult painting, as there is a lot more going on than I'm used to painting. It still feels a little stilted to me, could have been edited better, leaving out some of the concrete lot.

Holcomb Observatory

Did this with the Urban Sketchers group, Butler Campus is so beautiful, we'll have to return here to sketch again.

Barbara at Petite Chou

As part of Urban Sketchers, Barbara, Connie, and I met for breakfast in Broadripple. I had a difficult time getting into the mood to sketch, this is the result. Need to keep up the practise!

NCAA Building

When I got out of the gym I sat down in the shade to draw this, the NCAA Headquarters. The building was recently re-opened after renovation. It sits on the canal, but I was in the grassy amphitheater near the White River to draw this.

Downtown Skyline

Another skyline from the library. It's a favorite subject.

Along the Canal

Several of us "Urban Sketchers" met on the canal this morning, and this is my result. One of my favorite places in the city.

Sketches

These are sketches I've done this week. I enjoy going out for a walk early, before the heat gets too bad, and taking along my sketch book. It's very relaxing to sit and sketch after a stroll, sometimes with an iced latte. A very pleasant way to spend the morning.

IMA Love - Redone

Here I've changed the ground level on the left, making it come down to the foreground instead of up to the foreground. It's nearly imperceptable in my reference photo (smaller photo above), but it's there.

IMA Love

Oil Painting

This painting was done as part of a plein aire class with Jerry Points. After finishing it (I thought), I realized a problem of perspective. Can you pick it out? Hint: it's on the left side. I'll correct it and post a photo in a few days.

This is the view along the Canal Walk from a bench under the arbor, looking south towards the NCAA headquarters. It took about 2 hours to complete, all on site.

Two of us met at the Indianapolis Art Center to sketch. It was a beautiful morning, with light cloud cover. This is the view of the back door seen while sitting on a garden wall. A light breeze kept it comfortable. The sun was high in the sky, and bouncing off all the concrete surfaces.

We participated in the neighborhood yard sale yesterday. It was, as usual, partially successful, stressful, and a good way to meet and greet neighbors. After pocketing our $72 profit we went out to celebrate. This was our view dining at the Rock Bottom Brewery downtown. It was done in the true spirit of sketching... quickly put down on paper between bites of salmon and fries and swigs of beer. Lots of areas not completed, details left out.

This is the view from my table as I had dinner with a friend at the Old Point Tavern. It was nearly 7pm, and still quite sunny. I love daylight savings time! I've had a good week, art wise. Hope to do a lot more in the near future!