Jessamyn

I decided to do just a head view as I didn't really have that great of angle for drawing the full figure.
I just go to the studio a couple of times per month and like to giver those who are there every week the first choice for location to set up. This studio doesn't have as large an area to set up props and back drapes. I hope they soon get back drapes as that helps soften the figure. Now they are posed against a white wall and all the shadows are hard.

Open Studio

We have not been able to get out painting much and since there is an open studio organized by Kevin, I have been going again this year. The model has the same pose for 2 or 3 weeks for those who like to paint. Since I draw the model I have been going once per model and pose.
It doesn't seem to matter how I adjust the the color in the photo it looks like the drawing is on grey paper rather than on cream.
This model had a thin build and because I was looking up at him, he looks taller and even thinner.

Webinar with Johannes Vloothuis

Again the Wet Canvas forum is offering webinars. Johannes is a excellent instructor and I always learn. He gives homework and I submit my paintings for a critique the following Saturday. This course is on waterfalls. The paintings are from weeks 1 and 2. After I see the critique I can make the suggested corrections. The 1st one is watercolor and the other acrylic.
Johannes suggested with the acrylic painting that I add more depth at the top so that's what I tried to do. On the watercolor both sides of the waterfall are somewhat 'cloned' but I tied to vary the waterfall and still be somewhat true to the location. I also have a photo from our trip to Glacier where the falls is located.

Thin Ice

Braddock Bay has a little ice near the edge. The temperature was in the 30s but it was quite breezy and felt colder. The breeze was actually making white caps on the bay. The water was a very deep, cold color as contrasted with the willows.
Usually we are painting the ice fishermen this time of the year.

February at Mendon Ponds

This morning we were greeted by the sun at Mendon Ponds Park. It is difficult to find interesting painting spots this winter as the snow lasts only about a day. Round Pond was frozen so the pond took the place of snow in the composition. The browns and ochers were soft and as the panel was toned with a muted red the painting has a glow.

Karl Heerdt Workshop

The GVPAP group had a 1 day workshop with Karl Heerdt from Buffalo. Karl did a demo (his painting is on the easel and it is not quite finished) and said that when he paints en plein air he gets upset how sometimes the colors and values look just right outside but inside they are too dark and dull. That happens to me also. I think my eyes just get tired.
The snow scene is my painting in oil on paper that was sealed with gesso. It is from an old photo of the Lake Placid Area. It was a fun day and so good to be with friends.

Skyscape

Webinar - painting skies
A photo was on Johannes' wet canvas site to use as reference for a painting which was then submitted. I worked in acrylic as I wanted to get it done, dry, photographed and uploaded. Johannes said that he liked the soft transitions and the colors repeated in the water.
This is week 1 of a 3 week webinar. Johannes is an excellent teacher and his demos are so helpful. I liked his idea of painting the allover sky color and then negative painting the clouds, or vise-a-versa.