The Mission at Carmel, California

I added a few touches here and there to the pastel painting that I had done in the online class yesterday.
I am saying it is done.

The Mission At Carmel, California
Soft chalk pastels on Canson pastel paper
Size: 8.5 x 11.5 inches

A First For Me

I enjoy watching the free painting videos on You Tube and other art sites; but have never paid to take one of the online classes offered through the art sites.
I had watched several video clips and a free 1 hr. session offered by a painter named, Johannes Vloothuis.  I really enjoyed his manner of teaching and his subjects.  Then the other day I saw that he was going to be giving an online art class for the next 4 Saturdays for 4 hrs. each class.  So a total of 16 hrs. of instruction and the cost was very reasonable.  I had been telling Roy how much I liked this mans way of teaching, etc. so when I mentioned that he was having this class, Roy said well, sign up for it.  I thought about it, watched some more of his free videos and finally broke down and signed up.

Today was the first class, well instead of going for 4 hrs. he went on for almost 5 hrs..  At the end he was asking the students if they could see mistakes and if he felt they were right he then corrected the painting.  Very interesting class.  He was doing this class in watercolours, which I don't do, so I actually worked along with pastels instead.  I have never tried painting along with a video before either.

Considering how slowly I always work, it takes me forever to actually finish a painting, I actually accomplished more on this than I thought I would.  It is not finished and needs some mistakes corrected and lots of finishing touches; but I am happy with what I accomplished in, for me, such a short time.

His subject was The Mission at Carmel, California and I enjoyed trying my hand at this.

Next week he will work in oils, no idea what his subject will be until a day or so before the class.

So here is what I ended up with.  It is pastels on Canson paper, approx. 8.5 x 11.5 inches.

It's Driving Me Crazy

The pastel painting I am attempting of Heinrichs Christ at 33 yrs. is driving me insane.  I am sure of it.  There is something or perhaps many things that are SO wrong with this painting; especially with either his eyes or maybe the whole face.
I pulled it out again today and did some more work on it; but it only looks slightly better.  I started art classes again and last Wednesday I discussed this work with my art teacher.  I am going to take it to him and see if he thinks it is salvageable or garbage.  He is extremely particular so I know that he will tell me what he thinks, in a nice way ha ha.

Naturally any suggestions you have are welcome.

This is what it looks like today after I worked on it a bit more.



This is what it looked like the other day when I posted it.

Spinning My Wheels

It seems like I have been painting on something everyday; but I don't seem to get anything much done.  Story of my life.

I did actually make it to art class last night and for all I accomplished I might as well have stayed home, oh well some days are like that.

Today I finished the blocking in on the water pump painting, so when it dries it will be ready to continue on with finishing it.

Yesterday I finished blocking in the Pelican painting and also did some of his feathers.  Lots to do on him still and also the water needs more work done on it also.

Finally this afternoon I pulled this one out.  It is of the Church in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora.  I can't even remember when I started this one.  It was ages ago when I was also working on the 3 paintings of the blue doors.  When I finally finished the blue door paintings I was so tired of doing buildings that this church one got set aside.  Every time I would look at it I would just groan and turn away.  This afternoon I decided that I am not going to start anything new until I finish this church.  So I set it up and did a bit on it.  Some to do yet; but it is taking shape finally.  I will be so glad when this one is done.

So that is what is keeping me busy and out of mischief.

El Burro de Calle Durango, (Durango Street Burro)-Alamos, Sonora

Well I think I have finished the donkey painting.  I will set it aside and look at it for a few days and see if it needs some final touches once it is dry.

Title: El Burro de Calle Durango- Alamos, Sonora
Oil on canvas board
Size: 12 x 16 inches, approx. 30 x 40 cms.

El Rey - The King

I did a bit of finishing this morning on this one and am thinking it is finished for now.

I have titled it, "El Rey" or "The King" as that is what he is on our street.

Oil on MDF board, 12 x 16 inches or approx. 30 x 40 cms.

For Sale

****Oops, that little brown strip at the left hand side is not part of the painting, I just did a poor job of cropping the photo.****

Finished For Now

Well, I have done some more work on my rendition of Heinrich Hofmans  painting of, "Christ at 33 years".  It may or may not be done, I will look at it for a few days and see.  My non critical spouse says it is done and good.  Me, well as usual I am not happy with it; but that is normal. This was way out of my comfort zone as I don't have a desire to do people and so it is harder to do.

Mine is done in soft chalk pastels on Canson pastel paper.

Size is 20 x 25 inches or approx. 50 x 63 cms..

I need some honest critique about all of the problems that I have with this.

Coming Along

I have had a really bad cold for over a week now and haven't been doing a lot.  Today I finally did some more work on the Pastel painting of Christ at 33 yrs. that I am working on.

Size:  20 x 25 inches
Medium: Pastels, both soft and pencils
Paper:  Canson MiTientes

So here it is so far, not finished by a long shot; but more done anyway.  I should be able to have it in the mail for her for Christmas which is when she wants it for.

New Work In Progress

Well the dogs are done, the grand daughters painting is done and both are in the mail on their way to Canada.

Time to start on something new.
This next one is really out of the realm of normal for me and also way out of my comfort zone.  I just have never had the desire to paint any people/human figures.  The only human face I have ever done was in my first art class about 5 yrs. ago, didn't like doing it, didn't enjoy it, so never attempted another one.  Fast forward to our trip to Canada this summer where my spouses daughter asked if I could attempt a painting for her. It is to be my rendition of the painting by Heinrich Hofmann which is titled, "Christ At 33 Years". We will see, wish me luck, I am definitely going to need it.


Here is a photo of the beginning of it. Pastel on Canson pastel paper. 20 x 25".