Frogbite

Yesterday, I had the chance to revisit the Norton Simon Museum. Its a really nice museum with two floors and a garden, its fairly small compared to the Getty and LACMA. I was surprised to see many well known painters works like Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. I took some pictures of Rembrandt's portaits and Degas sculptures. The pictures don't do them justice! Ok I may never be able to paint like him but at least his work can grace my blog!

I started this portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. yesterday, hoping to get it posted on MLK Day. Sometime in elementry I was exposed to his life, I remember watching the movie on his life which really moved me and shaped a lot of my views on racism. His speeches still give me chills. He is definetly one of my heroes and his life is a tremendous example of courage and faith.

I've been meaning to do speed paintings for a long time! The first two are from pictures I found on the net, I felt that I was starting to get too tight by using the airbrush. I really like the clean look it gives, but I start noodling on small details without paying attention to the whole. After doing the first two it really helped me loosen up and also to think about color (something that I really need work on). On the third one I wanted to maintain that "loose" feel. I kept each of these sketches at about half an hour.

Man its tough to get posting again!.... Well hope you guys like it.

Today I got a chance to check out the Malcolm Liepke exhibition at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica, I first heard about this artist a couple years back. When I saw his work online I was drawn to his figures and compositions and most of all his command of paint. Those pictures really don't do justice to how rich and lush his brushwork is! So seeing his work first hand was like a kid in a candy store gazing into jars full of candy. His brushwork reminds me a lot of Sorolla and his moods feel much like Hopper. I was really inspired, now if only I could break my procrastination and get my easel and paints out!, well hope you guys like some of the pics I took.

I wasn't going to post this sketch but after discovering and playing around with the filters in photoshop, I kinda liked the way it turned out. The textures that the filter gives the piece a tactile feel to it.

I started this one in painter and then played around with some filters in photoshop.

My sister wanted me to paint her with her boyfriend.

My version of one of my childhood toys?? pet?? larvee?

My first attempt at a self portrait, I did one in college that was more of a drawing. Jamine LeFave's blog inspired me to take a shot at this. I think I need to block in values more, kinda feel like i am noodling at this point (too many values and muddy color). Hopefully it turns out well!

I used reference for the face, tried to keep it as painterly as possible using mostly the "oil glazing round" brushes for the face and dull charcol for the background.

I finally just got back from Peru, after two weddings, four wisdom tooth extractions, one root canal, goooood grub!!!(Peruvian food is some of the best food ever!!), and if that wasn't enough taking a oil painting workshop taught by three awesome artist. I have really been blessed with family and friends that were so good to me while I was over there, and If your reading this, Thank you. Well I didn't think I would finish this portait of my mom but it came together (thanks Merian for the "a la bestia" way of painting).

This one was fun. I am starting to really like the airbrush because it gives a soft rendered look. Alright too much girly stuff got to draw monsters!

I just downloaded the new version of painter and its way faster!!! I really like some of the new brushes they have (artist oils, mixer thin flat) Its cool because the paint runs out. Well hope you guys like it.