Grand Lake theater drawing

Grand Lake theater P1201914
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

Our beloved neighborhood theater opened in 1926 (as a silent movie theater before the days of "talkies"). It is still the cornerstone of the neighborhood and I love seeing it every day. This is a simple ink wash drawing / painting with white pastel highlights. I wanted to evoke a timeless feeling as I hope the theater will last at least another hundred years.

Morro rock and pickup

Morro rock and pickup P1201916
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

Here's a drawing from the sketchcrawl in May 2007. I wasn't in San Francisco to meet with the group, but the great thing about sketchcrawls is that you can do it from anywhere. Artists can post their work to Flickr where we can all see pictures done the same day, from all over the world. Sometimes there is a theme, sometimes not. I was in Morro Bay for this sketchcrawl. I did this ink wash painting/drawing from the parking lot near the prominent Morro Rock. It is always frustrating to me how these picturesque "attractions" always have these ugly parking lots crowding them, but that's life, and in this case the contrast made a better piece I think.

Sketch Crawl 17- San Francisco

Transamerica and Coppola buildings P1201904
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

We met at Portsmouth Park in Chinatown but by the end of the day I had worked my way to a sidewalk cafe bordering Little Italy with a view of the Transamerica and Coppola buildings. this was my last and most ambitious piece of the day -- the only one that I broke out the watercolors for. I love these two buildings, both with their distinctive wedge shapes. They were perfect for the soft and hard treatment of pen and watercolor. it was a gorgeous and fun day. Dont miss the next sketchcrawl! you can do it from where ever you are - http://www.sketchcrawl.com

Asparagus bunch

asparagus
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is one of a series of 4 oil paintings I did which were inspired by the beautiful summer produce in California. I wanted to keep these simple and focus the color and brush strokes on the inner glow and richness that seemed to come from within the asparagus.

Chorneau: IN THE WEEDS

IN THE WEEDS oilandwaxonpaper 40x30 2003
Originally uploaded by rchorneau.

I found another great artist on Flickr. there are so many that are so inspiring and it is so great to find and connect with them via the internet. Check out Raymond's work. It's magical. He lives in NC. I love his textures and colors. His figures are primal and dreamlike. Click the picture to go to his flickr images.

Comma cafe in the afternoon

comma cafe
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

I always sketch when I travel but I don't always keep my journals in order so it is often hard for me to "recreate" a trip chronologically.

I also don't always get a comfortable spot like at this Coffee Shop in Carson City, NV. I love trying to capture the people and the action in a scene like this, while not making it too confusing. I usually start with the subject that I think will move first or is most interesting. In this case I started with the man and his dog at the counter.

Christmas Night

tommy watching TV ver4
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

That quiet time when all families turn from tree to TV and you wish you had given Dad the wireless headphones to watch the football game. I love Flickr. It's amazing how you can get instant feedback from some of the best artists in the world. Not only do they appreciate your work but they help you improve it. First I did an ink sketch and then shaded it with photoshop. I posted several versions and got some great feedback about my technique. Thanks R8r! check out my Flickr site to see the various versions of this drawing. Next I will do a color version. Happy New Year everyone!