Two watercolor portrait studies on my art hanger

The winter holiday season is a good time to play. Some of my play time has been with my favorite medium . . . watercolor and my favorite subject . . . portraiture. Here are two half sheets I just finished of two of last semester's students that were in the drawing class that I teach at Sacramento City College. I often hang my studies on my art hanger to look at and cogitate upon my next move. I would love to get your feed back, dear readers . . . the good, the bad, and even the ugly. Thank you in advance and have a very good 2012!

HAVE A ROLLICKING GOOD HOLIDAY DEAR READERS AND FELLOW ARTISTS!

Seeya in 2012.

Tis The Season

Watercolored this one a few years ago. Not much snow so far in the Sierras, but I know the skiers have there fingers crossed. I ski snow by the way. In fact, I am a Native Californian and . . . ya ain't gonna believe this but TRUE . . . I have never been in falling snow . . . whao!!!!!

Rougher water

After I posted this scene previously, I decided that the water on the acrylic painting needed to be rougher, so that's what I did? I also changed the water's hue a tad. You will also notice that the highlights on the water are brighter.

Acrylic painting versus watercolor painting

I painted the watercolor during the summer. It is about 15 by 22 inches. I just finished this acrylic for a one man show at the International House in Davis this December. It measures 30 by 40 inches on stretched canvas. Which one looks better or is it a case of comparing apples to oranges?

Two Invitations

I have recently gotten two invitations to conduct watercolor workshops that I am very excited about. I am now scheduled to teach a five day workshop in 2013 for The Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society. In the past, they have had watercolor luminaries such as Stephen Quiller, Frank Web, Ted Nuttal, Mike Bailey, Myrna Wacknov, and Jan Hart. I am thinking about teaching portraiture both in payne's gray and full color. The second invitation just came in this morning from the Peninsular Art League in beautiful Gig Harbor, Washington. They saw my art on my website. If you are interested in discussing a possible Lobenberg workshop in your neck of the woods, please contact me at: sushi3@mac.com

Clouds count.

People you see on the street, people you see in a park, or wherever you see people, oft time should be seen in your paintings as well. A painting can look more natural with people in it and provide an extra "it" factor that attracts a viewer's eye. The same can hold true with clouds. Whether they be icy, high flying cirrus, low, rain sodden stratus, or tall billowing cumulus, painting clouds in your sky can add that extra "it" factor. Do you think the "it" factor is in these three?