Susan Abbott class

              

I started a Susan Abbott class today, one where we will construct a painting by combining references of a landscape and of people.

These are my first ideas ... The next step is to turn them into a notan, but I think first I'll have to find some large dark and light shapes in them.

I liked the idea of combining the man and his dog with the fishing boat, but he may be better without it. Or I may try putting the boat further back in the distance.

I really enjoy Susan's classes because I get to do a lot of drawing and a lot of thinking through various stages of making a painting. Usually I just jump in, and sometimes that works. But it's also good to have the option of planning. 

And Susan's a great teacher.

palms

A couple of attempts to, loosely, copy a Winslow Homer painting. I wanted to try to get the shape and the gesture of the fronds ... My results are not awful but I feel they look like I tried too hard, which I did.

And below, another go, from a photo.

leaves

A spray of oak leaves from my yard.