jane tree blossoms

jane tree blossom P2171941
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

the awesome tree is in full bloom right now. It is all pods and blossoms, but no leaves. This is a small oil plein air painting that attempts to capture the luminescent beauty of the amazing color and blossoms

The red bench

The red bench
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

Another plein air painting. Rarely do I radically alter what I "see" in front of me, but this time the bench just screamed out to be red (and not the dark green that it actually is). Also, I rarely include a trash can in a landscape. But, after all, it's a city scene.

This is acrylic on archival board. acrylic has its own challenges when working outdoors. It dries so fast - permanently. this can be handy, but watch out for your brushes!

Scene: Lake Merritt park, Oakland, California.

New Mexico panorama

New Mexico view P2091895x
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

This is one of the largest plein air paintings I have ever done. of course I had my uncle driving me in his pickup so I didn't have to worry about lugging this 18x24 piece of hard board too far. I propped it up on the top of his tool box in the bed of the truck. It was a very cold day but the view and the sun was so spectacular that no one seemed to mind.

the scene is just outside Las Cruces in southern New Mexico.

This is painted with thin acrylic washes and only a few dabs of thick paint at the bottom. in the sunny air, the washes dried very fast and some even froze a little befor drying. it was a magical day that hooked me on plein air painting forever.

The miniskirt

miniskirt P2021913
Originally uploaded by rudisillart.

we had another figure drawing marathon yesterday. These marathon days are so much fun. I can't explain it. I only wish that I could have done it all day.

This ink wash drawing is from the last marathon in November. Most of the figure drawings are nude, although this one isn't. Costumes are fun sometimes. Later this week I'll be positing some from yesterday.

If you want more info about figure drawing groups, the history of it in the bay area, how to start your own, and more! check out Peter Steinhart's book - The Undressed Art: Why We Draw

http://www.amazon.com/Undressed-Art-Why-We-Draw/dp/1400041848