Over the years I’ve improved my drawing skills, but I think my painting acumen has languished a bit. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll never be a master, but I do I we can. Bloom where planted, and all that. What do you think?
Every detail in the following images reflects a story detail as requested by the client for a special edition of her epic raw dark romantasy (romantic fantasy),Born of Fire:
Warning: these drawings contain invisible anti-Ai watermarks:
A quick “audition drawing” before being hired by Ella, and before I knew the story:
Caveman
My latest effort:
My dear recently-deceased older sister, Carol. She made life look easy as a big sister, farm wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and church organist for more than a half-century. We miss ya, Sis! And we miss your infectious smile, as well as your ever-so-gentle authenticity.
And from this year (2026), family likenesses (pencil on Bristol Vellum)
Yours truly and my lovely bride, Kay.Our daughter Michelle:Our son Adam:Grandson Beau:Granddaughter Ionee:Grandson Isaiah:
This drawing was used as a reference for an acrylic painting below.Chiaroscuro – a study of the arrangement of light and dark elements (this is nobody in particular). From many years ago, when Ionee was young enough to think it would be cool to try on Grandpa’s glasses:A 105-year-old native woman I encountered at some time in the past:Chiaroscuro (light & shadow) of our beloved Bowzer, the boxer. We lost him in 1999:
Proof that a drawing can turn out okay even on crappy newsprint. Just gotta complete the watercolor in one pass or the water dissolves the paper!Forlorn Black Hills Log Barn (Rafter J-Bar Ranch)A colorized study of layered negative space with watercolor:Sketchbook color studies.
Pussy GaloreSemi-abstract: “Bad Hare Day” (reference photo attribution: Jean Haines)From the Caribbean port of call we visited on a sailing voyage (St. Lucia in the Lesser Antilles).An early watercolor sketch from the sketchbook:‘Tis the season….Annie still hangs in the head (bathroom) of the good ship Sojourn, now plying the coastal waters between Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Penobscot Bay, Maine. A wet-on-wet experiment – exploding pussy willow seed pod.Bello Nock (world-famous clown from Barnum Baily shows) – foreshortening and smoke study with watercolor, pen, and ink.The Simple LifeA dinghy on a foggy morning. Abstract villain (in the loose style of British abstract watercolor artist Jean Haines).
Another painting in the style of Jean Haines (using undiluted paints right out of the tube to create a vivid semi-abstract image).
The eyes have it.Renaissance man.Yes, I’ve occasionally ventured into PBN (paint by numbers) territory. This is an example. “Stiff”, isn’t it?Nun senseLow Tide.Coastal English FarmhouseNegative shapesPractice piece implemented entirely with palette knives (no brushes)Yep, the second and only other PBN I’ve done. It took months (48 colors). Did it. Then, back to natural creativity to inspire my work.Kay on “Electric Avenue”An early untitled effort before I learned about shadowing and shading. How flat is that!
