Dillion's First trip to the Beach. oil on canvas.

This is a painting I made about 6 months ago. It started out as a practice study - on an old canvas that was partially painted (thus the cut-away edges). I love painting it - the sun on his hat and color my favorite parts. I'll send it off to his mom (our niece); hope she likes it.

A dear friend and fellow painter are talking about really delving into figure painting. Very appealing. Not portraits but paintings with people in them - abstracted usually. Should be fun and a bit of a challenge.

OK - my BAD!

Hi all. Recently I posted a kids' photo (see previous blog) - as I delve into figure painting. Promised to share the final pic. Well, started the painting and then put it aside to finish another project and get ready for today's class. So - my bad - still haven't finished it. Hope to this week.. Stay tuned.

Today, had a really fun workshop at the College of Marin - 15 enthusiastic 'newby' painters showed up and were really adventurous! (I meet the neatest people teaching this class).

They drank in tons of new info I presented, about brushes, paints, products, supports. Then I put them through the paces. First exercise - experiment with different brushes (see attached - click to enlarge) to learn how they differ in performance. Other exercises included color mixing with primaries and secondaries, making cool blacks and colorful grays and, saving the best for last, we ended with a lesson on the importance of knowing how to make use of value/tone to make a good painting great.

I'll be teaching this class in Mill Valley in October - a one day workshop like today. If you know anyone who might be interested have them register through the Tam District Adult Education (or contact met).

Play with paint - it's good for the soul!