Recent Practice Paintings/Drawing, 4 good, 3 not so much

 From a lesson on how to paint "Sand and Foam" in an art book I bought at Michael's. Very happy with the bottom 1/2 of the painting! Top would be better if I wasn't painting on top of an old textured painting.

A pencil sketch that I then edited in Picasa to increase the value range, and I added a frame and matte effect. I did this to see if I could still draw. Took about 75 mins. Good, but I don't enjoy drawing. I'd rather paint.

This is an exercise in value range for myself. I finally got around to testing out the 2 free Atelier Interactive Paints I got last summer. Pthalo Blue and Titanium White. Done on paper. Frame and matte from Picasa. 

A quick painting based on a lesson I purchased from a great Australian artist online.

Next was trying out painting the patterns of the surface of ocean water. I don't like it.

And this was based on a YouTube lesson. I hate it--they look cartoonish with the black.

More surface waves--I don't like them at all. 

Ketchup and Salt

Another little still life, 12 x 12". 5 hrs altogether.  It was based on a photo I took at our table at a local diner recently. I could've done more work on this, but I liked it how it stands. I learned quite a bit this time. this is the first time I've tried glass objects, and all the colors in the white areas. It was a fun painting!

Laying in colors and values

More, toast and salt shaker

Close-up, not finished

More details added

Close-up of finished painting

Finished "Ketchup and Salt"

On my wall in the kitchen

"On The Road" Sign Paintings

Set of 3 travel signs based on photos of desert & Rt 66 signs. Each is 10" square on stretched canvas with the sides painted black. Took me forever to finish these due to procrastination...:) 

Can't wait to start on something new. I have 3 blank 18 x 24" canvases staring at me in the living room waiting for me to decide what to paint on them. Trees, Dolphins, Pottery, Beach....too many choices. I like doing big triptychs that you can hang over the sofa.