In the studio with artist, photographer and instructor Robert Louis Caldwell

Fresh off the easel! "Feathered Finials (Rock Pigeons) " Oil on 1/2 prepared maple panel 24 x 36 While at an art show in February 2010, I decided to take a break and head outside to see what interesting reference material I might find for a future painting. My good friend and fellow artist Julie Bender was up for a break as well so the two of us grabbed our cameras and took to the streets of historic downtown Charleston, SC. I was so entrenched in conversation that I was taking random shots of architecture — anything that looked interesting. I was completely unaware of this particular enticing scene that I had captured.  This painting provides a visual buffet of textures and colors — from the red crown of finials to the bronze roof tiles with the highly textured ends to the white-painted metal fascia dotted with specs of rust to the row of tarnished copper green scalloped finials — all topped ...

"Charleston Rooftop (Temporary title)," Oil on 1/2 prepared maple panel, 24 x 36  As I said in the last post, I was itchy to get back top work on  this painting! Well the itch is temporaily satisfied with the under drawing complted and even with the painting being toned but it's not completly gone! I can't wait to get some color on this, the reference for this piece has some beutiful colors that just raidaiate! Above is the toned under drawing, just a thin layer of  burnt sienna diluted with mineral spirits, brushed on to the prepared 1/2 maple  panel. I let the paint sit on the surface for about 15 minutes and then I start to pick out the highlights. To tell you the truth the only reason I do this is to get rid of the white of the gesso so that I can more acurately mix and paint my colors and it also gives it a more unifed feel. I know thats a bit of artists mumbo jumbo but it works for me! Below is the finish under drawing before I lay in the thin coat of...