I did not get to paint everyday in Italy, but I did take great pleasure in making these sketches after dinner every other day or so. I am looking forward to making full paintings based on these sketches and my photos.
This looks nice and clean and I like the colors. I think I'll try to paint it in watercolor. Just not sure I can finish before we leave for our Italy trip.
here is the finished version of the old Higgin's Farm Windmill in Brewster Ma. I am really happy with how this turned out. I may play a little more with shading on the house and shingles, but maybe not.
I added the shadow side of the windmill and buildings and washed in some of the foreground. The painting is starting to take shape!
Drawing complete and first wash of Sky and a warm foreground color done. Sky needs a little more pulled out and shaped on left, but is otherwise mostly done. Foreground wash was loose with some white poking thru.
This scene of a windmill and old blacksmith shop located in Drummer Boy park in Brewster Ma. will be my next painting. I think this composition is more interesting than the windmill straight on and there is wonderful morning light falling on the grass and buildings.
Final glazes have been washed in for the background of the sunrise. There are about seven glazes and five colors in there. It has a nice glow. I will add the detail of the sun, boat and land tonight and it will be done.
The next subject I want to tackle is waterfalls and running streams. This is a quick sketch of a spot in Harriman State Park I like to photograph. I am thinking I will head out there with a sketch book and paints instead of a camera and see what I can do.
OK. Here is what I am working on. I know I said I was working on the delicate blue iris... but the deep reds of this shot called out to me. The drawing is done. I'll be working on the background and some of the flower tonight. I'll post my progress tomorrow. I'd like to get this one and two more done by the end of the holiday weekend. 
We were in Upstate NY this weekend for some time with family. During the day Saturday we went to a favorite Antiques place.... I found these great pewter pieces. They are old and a little beat up, but full of character. One of these setups will be a watercolor soon. 
Inspired by my recent work my Mom (Pat) painted this watercolor of two apples. Aren't they just GREAT? They jump off the page with so much depth. Really nice work Mom! Congrats. If you guys think these are good you should see the oil paintings she did when I was a kid.
I took this photo on Sunday and it will be my next painting project. I will post updates as I work on this. This one should be fun and challenging. I tend to overwork flower paintings.
Here is the finished Pepper still life. All in all I am very happy with it! I had a plan to start with and it helped keep me on track until I had a finished painting looking like what I imagined it to be.