Plein Air Painting: Spring Lake (Santa Rosa, CA) - Finished and Ready for Framing

As fun as plein air painting can be, there's always the struggle of the natural elements. In this case, I battled afternoon blown out lighting over the Lake. And the temperature was 90 degree (in the shade) causing my gouache paints to dry rather quickly and my glazes appearing much lighter than intended. So I decided to pack it up and retouch areas of my painting back home.

(7" x 10" gouache on watercolor board)

It's not the first time this has occurred. Usually I scrap the entire painting and start a new. But this particular experience was really FUN!!! Actually...it's given me ideas to finish 2 additional paintings sitting in the recycle bin. Once I give it a go, I'll be sure to share the outcome. But for now.... it's time to get this framed. Thanks again! 

Plein Air Progress shots at Sunny Spring Lake

Have you ever driven through a town and wondered, 
"What if I just drove down a little further?"

That's how if felt when I visited Spring Lake Regional Park located in Santa Rosa, Ca! Located just 15 minutes from the main freeway. Really easy to find, no curvy roads, just a straight shot to the park entrance.

Although it was a  Summer Weekend I had to wait in line (about 4 cars in front of me) to pay the park entrance fee. There are several parking lots to choose but finding an open spot can get tricky due to the popularity of the park.

I walked around the entire Lake to scope out an area to set up. Saw some great views by the Lagoon area,
but lots of foot traffic and all the shaded areas were occupied by picnickers. On the opposite side of the Lake I found a cool swamp like area with algae resting on the top surface, but I could immediately hear the swarms of mosquitos planning their attach on an innocent plein air painter, LOL!

So I ended up setting up where my hike began... just 20 feet from my parked car, haha! So I walked along the shore, where visitors can rent paddle boats. Found some good shady coverage and set up my gear. Had a great view of the Lake, trees, paddle boats and a couple of hills off in the distance.

Stay tuned for my next post featuring the final painting!

Thanks!

Porto Bodega Marina

Driving up to the Bodega Head was fun... but the parking lot is small.... and filled up rather quickly! It was a bit crowded due to the Summer time visitors. I'll have to revisit again in sometime in the Fall.

So I decided to drive back down the hill and over to the Marina. Didn't find anything that caught my attention at Spud Point Marina but found a nice spot at the Porto Bodega Marina. I had set up my gear .... and it suddenly started to RAIN! Typical weather along this part of the coast.... So I packed up, parked and painted some studies from my car. 

(top) View at the entrance of  Marina - a boat parked in front of large lush trees. 

(bottom) Squeezed in one more study of a hillside behind one of the vacation homes.

(Gouache studies 4"x6" each in sketchbook) 

Well that was my plein air adventure along the northern California coast! 

I may try for another farm or maybe winery next paintout :)

Now on TUMBLR!

Follow me on TUMBLR too!

geralddedios.tumblr.com

Thanks!

Plein Air Painting - Fort Baker (Sausalito, Ca)

A recent plein air painting during a visit to Fort Baker (Sausalito, Ca). I packed my gear and set up on the grassy parade grounds. 

"Fort Baker"

(7" x 10" watercolors)

Sausalito, Ca.

The house in the background is a former general's residence, which has been renovated to a historic guest-room for a resort. I planned on adding some folks picnicking…but they left early. Instead, I quickly captured someone flying a blue kite! 

Mighty Winds of Tomales

Oh the challenges you face when plein air painting! 

Listen to that gust of WIND! My easel was

shaking and my paint pallet flew away! LOL

See final painting [HERE]

501st CVI - DVD Available for Order

My Star Wars 501st sketchcards will all be featured in a new DVD! 

501st Celebration VI DVD

The DVD will showcase Celebration VI from Orlando FL, celebrating the 501st - 15th Anniversary! Featuring everything from the costumers to Roxy the Rancor to the Big Bash Party.

Here's a link to the Trailer [HERE]

Here's some of my cards that will be available on the Swag Trade Section > Sketch Card Collection > Gerald de Dios

 ©2013 Gerald de Dios

TENTACLES! Original Painting - Now Available

If you could not attend the opening night, no worries!

The original painting has been made available online through Ltd Art Gallery.

Just click the image above to see the details.

Cheers!

TENTACLES! Art Show, This Saturday May 4th, 7pm @ Ltd. Art Gallery (Seattle, Wa)

I am so excited and honored to participate in Saturday's Group Art Show! Many thanks to Bonnie Burton who will be guest curator! Additional thanks to James Monosmith, Ltd. Gallery owner!

 My painting is finished, framed and in transit!

Title: "Peering"

Size: 8"x8" Framed
Original Painting Available

for Purchase at Show

If you're in Seattle this Saturday check it out!

TENTACLES: Group Exhibition || Opening Reception: Saturday May 4, 2013, 7pm

More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/275928999209252/?ref=22

Ltd. Art Gallery

307 E Pike St 

Seattle, Wa 98122

Progress Shots: TENTACLES! Group Art Show @ Ltd. Art Gallery, Seattle WA, This Saturday, May 4th, 7:00PM

Thought I'd share a few progress shots while creating my submission for the "TENTACLES" Art Show. Just the show title alone, gave me over a dozen ideas! Did I want to create something comic book related? Something Sci-Fi themed?

After multiple thumbnail ideas I decided on something that best fit the show. I spent a good 3 years attending the Art Institute of Seattle. During my stay I purchased a yearly pass to the Seattle Aquarium. I love aquariums in general and could spend hours staring at all the underwater life. As a matter of fact, I made it a habit to go to the Seattle Aquarium to practice sketching all types of fish, octopus, and sea otters. One day I lost track of time....the security guard did his final rounds and told me they've been closed for the past hour! I didn't even realize I was the only one left sitting there?! LOL.

So for the show I decided to created a miniature painting measuring 3.5" x 3.5" and limited my design within a boxy dimension.  As for the subject..... you guessed it......an octopus!  

After inking, I started laying down the first layer of watercolors.

 Next I worked on filling in the octopus tones and textures.

At this point I'm using a mixture of watercolors, inks, 

markers and colored pencils.

 Adding the final touches.

 Not quite done.... Decided to incorporate a 3D effect!

 Here's the final painting before adding a frame.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Next post will feature the framed painting before I send it out :)

TENTACLES! Group Art Show @ Ltd. Art Gallery, Seattle WA, Saturday, May 4th, 7:00PM

I'll be part of a group show @ Ltd. Art Gallery, If you're in Seattle this Saturday check it out!

TENTACLES: Group Exhibition || Opening Reception: Saturday May 4, 2013, 7pm

Hope you can make it! 

More info can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/275928999209252/?ref=22

Ltd. Art Gallery

307 E Pike St 

Seattle, Wa 98122

 

 

Old Lakeville Road # 3 - Petaluma, CA.

(9" x 12" gouache on watercolor board)

The sheep were long gone by the time I finished up this painting,

but sure was nice they kept us company throughout the afternoon.

Setting up off HWY-37 (Sonoma County)

 

Olivia and I drove along Lakeville Highway and turned into Old Lakeville Road # 3. That's right.... there are three roads to choose from but # 3 is the longest road...with great landscape views of barns and farm animals. We immediately pulled over and admired the ponies! But just behind us we noticed a large group of sheep beginning to come up and over the grassy hillside. So I started setting up along the fence and comfortably between two eucalyptus trees.

Warm-Up Wolf Sketch

Warm-up sketch before working on next wave of commissions :)