Half Dome At Yosemite

The image is done primarily using a black Tombow pen, which is water soluble, and helps provide a variety of tones and values. I used very minimal Micron pen strokes to complete the painting.The real disciplines in doing this artwork were to effectively use negative space and to establish real and accurate looking reflections in the flowing river.

The completed painting fits into a gray mat and is yet to be framed. 11" x 14".

Country Barn Modified

Country Barn Two is a repeat for this blog. I redid this from scratch (whatever scratch means--everyone uses that term so I am using it, too) and it is similar to a painting of a barn done previously. This was done as a demonstration for a class and it turned out well. The students did well with this also. It seems that anytime I repaint something I previously have done, it turns out much better. Maybe many of you find this to be true with your own work.

This is an old barn in northern California shown during a bright, sunny Spring day. 11" x 14" ink and watercolor.

Arches National Park

Scene from Arches National Park in the state of Utah, USA. This ink and watercolor painting shows some of the beauty of this park which is a popular tourist attraction.

Arches National Park, was designated a national park in 1971. Located in red-rock country and overlooking the gorge of the Colorado River, this area contains a vast and unusual array of natural rock formations. Water, frost, and wind have carved giant but graceful arches, windows, spires, and pinnacles.

An Anaconda Lurks

I read a news story the other day about large snakes in prehistoric times. Some were as large as 40-45 feet long and 2-3 times larger in diameter than today's largest. While the anaconda shown here is only 25-30 feet long, it's plenty big and appears to be locked in on an idle crocodile maybe in a river in a jungle. Now, I am not sure if these snakes will nab and eat a croc but if so, this croc better put it in REVERSE and head the other way. Ink and watercolor.

Celebrate At The Golden Gate

Terrific angle showing both land masses on either side of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. When the day is sunny there is nothing more beautiful. Even when it's overcast the bridge is an awesome site.

If you need to get away to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or if you need a vacation, visit San Francisco and be sure you celebrate at the Golden Gate!! Ink and watercolor.

Space Flares-An Imperfect World

This is a Terry Banderas vision of a scene in outer space. The title was given because of the lighter blue images floating around that remind me of colorless flares. The reds and yellows are colors from somewhere--outbursts from something. Entire painting was done very wet with salt. This was done on a quiet play day in mid-winter. Watercolor.

Idle Time To Sketch

While sitting at the doctor's office waiting for my wife, I began drawing from a magazine. I suspected I had only a small bit of time, I drew a section of a chandelier photo from an advertisement. Barely got the lines done and my wife was out and ready to go. I added the watercolor when I got home.

This drawing was done because I nearly always take my watercolor booklet and pens with me just in case I have some idle time to sketch. It's a great habit to get into if you are an artist. Ink and watercolor.

Old Town Panorama

This view is across the wide street in lower Auburn, California, which shows the old firehouse, the post office, and some very old bars. Normally, there are many more cars on the road but my scene shows only parked ones. This part of town gets a lot of tourist traffic most of the year but also gets very energetic with people during any holiday. Ink and watercolor on bristol board.

Beneath The Highway

I found a spot beneath a highway interchange in Roseville near the Galleria shopping center. The railroad tracks were located between me and the wire fence. The swishing of traffic on the roadway above made for a noisy sketching session.

I drew this last December, about 10 AM, when the sun was low in the sky. The shadows play a big part of this painting. Those are apartment or condo buildings to the right of the bridge. Unless the residents have gotten accustom to the freeway noise, I can assure you they spend many sleepless nights. Ink and watercolor.