Traditional Drawing

For the last five years or so most of my drawings have been digital, using a Wacom display tablet. Until then (like most) my drawings were graphite, charcoal, and sometimes metalpoint. Further, my daily drawing (see my companion blog Daily Digitalia) wasn't really habitual; more sporadic. But the ease and simplicity of drawing digitally is seductive, hence the hundreds of digital drawings over on the other blog. 

But lately technical issues have kept me from doing digital drawings at my main studio, so I've reverted to graphite when I need a quick sketch or impression.

By the Window, graphite on toned paper

Drawing is basic. For me, a painting begins with a drawing, usually a very sketchy one indicating major masses and color shapes. Sometimes a more detailed rendering is needful, but usually I only do a very rough one. 

My evolving experience with traditional drawing is intriguing. Next month is the worldwide Inktober drawing challenge. Perhaps I'll try pen and ink again.

Whiterock Memory

About a year ago I spent three weeks at Whiterock Conservancy, a land conservancy here in central Iowa that encompasses a fascinating range of landscapes. There are wetlands, river, rolling prairie, and oak savanna. Some of the land there has not been farmed, or disturbed. During my time there I painted a number of works in the small studio and a number outdoors. From those studies and photographs, I did a number of studio works over the winter. This one, "Savanna," is featured on my website. 

"Savanna," oil on canvas, 24x30

Better Homes and Gardens

Some know that Des Moines has been a publishing hub for more than a century. The Meredith Publishing company (now DotDash Meredith) began in the early 20th century with Successful Farming magazine, eventually expanding to include the venerable Better Homes and Gardens, among many more. The company has had test kitchens and a demonstration garden for a long while. I wrote about it in June. The BHG demonstration garden is open to the public from noon to 2pm every Friday, May to October. 

I've gotten into a habit of visiting the garden at least once or twice a month this year. The horticulturists do a fine job of keeping everything thriving. It's a real favorite for lunch and sketching.

"In the Garden," ink and wc

"A Shady Corner," wc with ink touches

"Looking South," wc and ink

Valley

The leaves have faint touches of yellow, here and there, but the fall change hasn't happened yet. This painting is from an outing last weekend in Madison County, famous for its bridges that inspired a book and movie. The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a paint out at several locations in and around Winterset, the county seat. 

"Madison County Valley," oil on panel, 9x12

The valley I painted is home to a local winery, the vineyard just visible in the extreme foreground. The sheds and garage across the road are actually another farm.

A Saturday Sketch

Last weekend the Saturday sketchers went to a private garden in one of the old neighborhoods. The owner has landscaped his garden in a number of interesting and sometimes quirky ways. For example, he used a top of a salvaged column as a centerpiece in one flower bed, making it look like an old ruin. The terraced garden features a large patio dominated by a gurgling fountain. We sketched there for a couple of hours in various locations. 

In this particular sketch my interest was in the shapes and colors, so I omitted part of the fountain in favor of the more rectilinear shapes of the house and the grounds. The circular shape of the fountain helps draw the eye to the sketching figure on the right-hand side.

Sycamore

Sycamores are one of the quintessential American trees. There are similar trees in Europe (plane trees), but ours seem more majestic as they soar over other species with their grey-green bark and broad palmate leaves. For me, sycamores are among the most reward trees to paint. 

Last month while visiting friends I had the opportunity to paint outdoors for several days along the bank of a small river. From where I stood, there were mature trees in all directions, many of the sycamores. This one was started outdoors and detailed in the studio. The subject was massive, leaning over the water with many trailing branches. Afternoon light gave an ochre glow to the water, a reflection of the rocky bottom.

"Sycamore," oil on panel, 9x12

Plein Air at the Farm

Last Wednesday a half dozen of the Saturday group made the drive to a farm near Prairie City, maybe 30 miles from Des Moines. Our hosts, Lisa and David Burns, have been farming there for decades though they live in town. David has cattle and grows what Iowans call "row crops,' meaning mostly corn and soybeans. The farm is nearly a half-section of rolling Iowa countryside. They have huge grain bins, four tractors and other farm implements, and a century-old Model T farm truck.

"Cententarian," oil on panel, 0x12

Although the day was a little chilly, and grey with clouds and Canadian smoke, meaning flat and uninteresting light, I set up my Open Box M in the back of my car and sketched that antique truck parked near an old grain bin. There was considerably more clutter to the right--a cattle enclosure--that I edited out of the image in favor of distant fields. There was only a couple of hours before we had to leave, but I took a number of reference photos as well, and plan to turn this into a larger studio work. 

The Ford

Located less than a mile downstream from my studio, along Druid Hill Creek, this image is from many personal observations and photos. Druid Hill Creek rises on a golf course south of us, running mostly north and into Grays Lake. The creek is probably only a couple of miles long and must be fed by artesian springs. Its flow never stops, even during significant drought. 

"The Ford," oil on panel, 14x11, private collection

The creek passes through a culvert thence into a glade of trees about an acre in size, long and narrow along the banks. The stream is a carpet of stones and at one point several big boulders provide a dry-shod crossing. Hence, "The Ford."

Eternal City

"Eternal City," oil on panel, private collection

Rome is perhaps one of the most important destinations for artists of all kinds. The treasures in public and private museums there are simply staggering. If you want to see works by the masters, Italy is obviously one of the places to visit. And the Eternal City is on the short list of cities where one should spend time lavishly. 
 

This particular painting is an imaginary view inside an osteria, or tavern, somewhere in Rome. Much of this scene is imagined, including the colors and the fountain across the narrow street. Sold long ago.