Sketching Bethesda Fountain at Central Park

Sketching at Bethesda Fountain. Central Park, New York.

Lately I've been going to Central Park in the early mornings and late afternoons with my sketch book and lawn chair to draw. Drawing has been a big passion of mine. I love to draw. What I like best about drawing is the fast results. I can quickly grab a few materials and set up anywhere in Central park and do a quick study sketch. I can move around at one location and create several studies for future paintings, then quickly pack up and go for a walk and look for new locations to sketch. 

Here's a spot I've been wanting to draw for along time at Central Park. The Bethesda Fountain. Great place and a popular location in the city. It's so beautiful.  Sketching here is challenging: lots of perspective drawing with the landscape and structures. I'll be back to this spot soon with easel and canvas.

Plein Air Painting in Lower Manhattan

Plein-Air Painting in Lower Manhattan, Battery Park, 13x50, oil on Canvas

I've been wanting to paint at this location for a while. Located in lower Manhattan, Battery Park. This is a nice area; they have a bike path and a wide pedestrian path. I found a good spot.  

I'm fascinated with these new construction buildings in the city. There are so many new buildings going up. I took a long canvas with me, 13x50. I need to create longer ones. I'm looking forward to going back out soon. Keep an eye out for me.

Fourth of July Painting in Manhattan

4th of July, Plein-Air Painting in Lower Manhattan, Oil on Canvas

I had a nice Fourth of July. I spent a cool afternoon painting a cityscape scene I've been wanting to visit for a long time. Located in lower Manhattan. I found a nice spot with low people traffic. It's located on the corner of Park and Broadway, next to City Hall. I like that section of downtown. It's not far from Wall Street and Brooklyn Bridge.

New Plein Air Painting of 56 Leonard Building, Tribeca, New York

New Painting of 56 Leonard Building in Tribeca, NYC

I've been enjoying my summer out door painting. So many locations to paint! This is one of my favorite spots in Tribeca. I've been creating paintings of the new 56 Leonard building since last summer. It's been an interesting project watching the construction progress.

For this piece I started with a grisaille (earth tone sketch). I do like this kind of start, its a good way to sketch in the scene, do all the perspective and drawing problem solving at this stage. once it's dry I'll return to start adding color.

Flowers Gallery Exhibit, Chelsea, New York

I have a painting showing at Flowers Gallery in Chelsea New York. I was selected to participate in a group show for students, instructors and alumni of The New York Academy of Art.  The opportunity to show one of my recent pieces in Chelsea, the heart of the art world in New York City, is a great honor. 

Flowers Gallery is located on 20th street in Chelsea. Please visit to see mine and others amazing work. The work is impressive!

Washington Square Park: First Plein-Air Painting of the Summer!

Washington Square Park, 16x20, oil on Canvas, 2015

This was my first plein-air painting for the summer. I had a great time. The weather and light was nice.  This is one of my favorite spots in New York City: Washington Square Park.  I like the arch, it's a nice structure to draw and paint. Looking forward to going back soon.

I started this piece on a gray canvas, then sketched in with Transparent Earth Orange paint. It's a nice color, I discovered it in Patrick Connors portrait class at The New York Academy of Art. Then began adding colors, background to foreground, cool to warm colors.

Playmats Arch Central Park, New York, New York

Playmates Arch, Color Study, Oil on Canvas, 16x20

Here's a recent Plein Air painting I created. I visit Central Park several times a week to create paintings of the bridges and arches. This spot had its challenges. The first challenge was that I started painting on a cloudy day then, half way through the painting, the sun came out. So I had to make color changes. The forecast said cloudy all day and I wanted to study the light on a cloudy day.

The 2nd challenge was the perspective. There was an optical illusion that was driving me crazy. When I stood there, the angle of the path visually went from the tunnel up towards the right side because the path goes down hill. But optically, I had to do the opposite. It looked one way but I had to draw it the opposite way. You can kinda see it on this image.

Regardless of the challenges, I learned a lot. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Landscape Painting at Central Park New York

Dipway Arch, Central Park, New York, Oil on Canvas, 16x20

This summer, I've been going to Central Park in the mornings to paint landscapes. The experience has been rewarding. I've gotten to know Central Park well and my painting has improved a lot.

Central Park has a lot of beautiful bridges. This one is located on the south side of the park, called Dipway Arch. I painted this one on a cloudy day so it was challenging for me. On sunny days, I can easily paint the lights and shadows, but on cloudy days, there is little contrast and more color range between the lights and darks.