Images from the studio

People often ask me for details about the watercolor process. Here are some pictures from the studio...


"Embrace" on the drawing table with all my tools.
Nearly finished.


Just getting started on "Pointed"


First the barbed wire, very lightly.


Taped off some of these criss-crossing wires with drafting tape while painting the background, which got too dark, so I had to lighten it with a damp toothbrush.



Taped off the birds and wire using drafting tape and then painted the sky using a subdued wet in wet technique.



Now the feathers, one at a time. But I had to use a small bristle brush to restore the convexity of this dove's back before continuing. This is another way of making minor corrections.



Starting on the top dove.



Top dove is still looking kind of watery at this stage. With staining pigments such as quinacridones and phthalocyanines, you can go over and over without the colors muddying much... You just have to be careful not to go too far. It's hard to make dark colors lighter with these pigments.


Darkening the wires...


Almost finished.


Scratched off some highlights with a dull x-acto knife, which I also used to clean up some of the edges for a crisp, sharp-focus effect


Done! I had this one on the drawing board longer than usual... about five weeks. If you haven't seen the show yet, it will at Left Coast Galleries in Studio City until May 25. Thanks for looking!