Friends

I completed this commissioned painting prior to Christmas. It's 11" x 14" oil on canvas.

Have a Blue (and Orange) Christmas

It's snowing - so while the kids played in the winter wonderland I spent some time working on a caricature painting of Cam Newton. Still working on the oil painting of Cam. I hope to complete it by kickoff January 10th.

Troy Aikman

7" x 20" Oil

Still working on this original of Dallas Cowboys great Troy Aikman.

Dandy Don

Sad to hear of the passing of Don Meredith. Here is a quick sketch tribute to Dandy Don. Famous for singing "Turn Out the Lights, The Party's Over" when the outcome of the MNF game was clear. He will be missed.

Creating Butkus

I wanted to show everyone my process for painting in photoshop. I learned this technique from (the great) Jason Seiler about two years ago while taking an online class at Schoolism.com. Very expensive but I consider it money well spent - or rather invested. Painting digitally is fast, no smells, no chemicals, no mess, no clean up. Downside - hard to create large scale and there is technically no original, only a file waiting to be printed. Here is how it is going so far with "Butkus."

First the sketch. I did this sketch in 30 to 40 minutes using pencil and a ball point pen. I probably should have spent a little more time. You will see how I had to make some corrections once I got it scanned and loaded into Photoshop. The anatomy of the front arm needed some adjustment and the number on the shoulder was too high and too small. Traditionally you would erase and redraw. Digitally you can simple cut and move - even rotate and re-size. It is also easy to change the composition - which I did.

Create 3 layers. The sketch in on the middle layer. The top layer is a tone of your choosing (Umber in my example) and you dial down the opacity to 50-70% until you can see the sketch and have a good overall mid-tone. The sketch layer itself is set on "Multiply" which allows you to paint on the layer below without interfering with the sketch. Here I block in the dark tones I see in my reference using the same umber color.

Next - I add a layer above all layers and set it to "Soft Light." Then using white only I set out to block in the lighter tones I see in my reference photo. Squinting to increase the contrast of your reference will help you see the lights and darks better (learned that from Seiler too).

First color layer. I made a palette on a layer (just like you would if working with traditional paint) and used it to start laying in color. Concentrating on getting the darks and lights correct. I also begin to play around with the background so it will tie into the colors being used in the figure.

Here is where I am so far. I wish I could go this fast with oils. I typically have a traditional painting or two going while I use the computer to do warm up sketches, caricatures, and develop my photoshop skills. I'll post updates of this painting as it develops

Print or Original

Bobby Cox - all matted and framed

I just sold a small giclee (print) of Bobby Cox. In case you didn't know - you can get a print of most all of my images for as little as $50. Of course, if you are a bit more adventurous you can purchase the original or schedule a commission.

Campy

Just before Thanksgiving I finished my sketch of Roy Campanella. I thought you might like to see it.

Campy

In progress sketch of Roy Campanella - my Dad's favorite catcher.

Monday Night Football

25 Years ago today on Monday Night Football NY Giants Linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacked Redskins QB Joe Theismann and broke both bones in his lower leg and ABC kept showing it over, and over, and over. The injury ended Theismann's 12-year career.

Here is a quick sketch of Theismann - thinking about you today Joe.

Larry Bird

6" x 10" Mixed Media

Oil wash to tone the 3-ply Bristol Board, then I applied acrylics for color and used Prismacolor pencil to fine turn.

The Georgia Peach

"The Georgia Peach" - 11" x 19" Oil

I just completed this oil painting of Ty Cobb. I've been working at it on and off for about 4 weeks. If I could go back in time I would like to go to a Tigers game and watch him play.

Larry Legend

The last time I watched an NBA game - this guy was playing. Quick sketch of Larry Bird. I may end up painting this one. Larry was awesome.

Bo Knows

A warm-up sketch of Bo Jackson. One of the greatest athletes of all-time.

Schrute Bucks

"Hah, Mose doesn't even know how to use the phone, so joke's on you."

Sparky

I just heard Sparky Anderson passed away. I did this quick sketch as a tribute to the former manager of the "Big Red Machine."

World's Greatest Boss

Added a background and improved the likeness. I am a big fan of "The Office" - how about you?

That's what she said

"Society teaches us that , having feelings and crying is bad and wrong. Well that's baloney, because grief isn't wrong. There is such a thing as good grief. Just ask Charlie Brown."

Night Moves

Painting I did today of Bob Seger. Really getting into sketching the artist while listening to their music. "Against the Wind" has always been one of my favorites. Love "Night Move" but I think his best is "Turn the Page."

Feelin Alright

I got a hankerin' (craving for you yankee folks) for some Joe Cocker today. So I went to youtube and watched/listened while I did this painting of the legendary singer. I need to learn how to record my painting and put it to music. Anyway - it was fun and I really got into it - especially "Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" and "Feelin' Alright."

Remember when Belushi mocked him on SNL? That was classic

The Freak

The Giants took game one last night. Although I am pulling for the Rangers, I am a big fan of "The Freak" - Tim Lincecum. Here is a quick sketch / painting I just completed of the San Francisco Ace.

One Six - Update

Spent a couple of hours on Peyton this morning

One Six

"One Six" - 9 x 12 Oil on canvas board

I posted this sketch of Peyton Manning sometime ago. I finally got around to applying some paint and I thought you might like to see the update.

The Judge

Lester Hayes (Oakland Raiders '77-86) - nickname "The Judge." Hayes made "stickum" famous and used so much of the sticky substance the NFL made its use illegal. This is a 11 x 14 limited palette (black, burnt umber, white) oil painting of the 5 time All-Pro DB.

The Skipper

Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox coached his last game last week when the Giants eliminated the Braves from the post-season. Bobby always kind of reminded me of my Dad.

When I started my sketch I was going to put Bobby in the dugout but as I started painting I decided a more graphic background would work better. I put his uniform number and name along with a simulated chalk line and base path. The green gave me the complementary color I was looking for and added to the baseball look.

We'll miss you Bobby.

UGA

UGA - 11" x 14" Acrylic on wood

Done with a paint knife on a piece of wood - which leads to some interesting texture.

Here it is on my easel. You can see the thickness of the board. I saw an artist using old cabinet doors to paint on so I thought I would give it a try. Tack on a sawtooth hanger and no framing required.

Bear Update

Coming along - I hope to complete this week

Bear Sighting

Acrylic under painting of my latest painting. Applying oil now. I'll post updates of "The Bear" as I complete the stages. The original is 8" x 10" on canvas.

Finished AJ

10" x 20" Oil and Prismacolor

Green Machine

No finished, but since the college season is here I thought I'd give everyone a preview of my latest painting. UGA wide receiver AJ Green leaping to snag a pass against Tennessee. Prismacolor and oil.

The Rocket

Sketch of "The Rocket" testifying before Congress - did he or didn't he? Sketched in a rocket for his nose but erased it - I'll wait on the trial to see if I need to put it back.

Working on a painting I hope to show you soon.

Coach Dooley

With football just around the corner I thought I would do a quick sketch of Coach Dooley. Hard to believe it has been 30 years since UGA won a National Championship. I am feeling a little nostalgic about the 1980 Bulldogs. Stay tuned for some more red and black sketches.

Koufax

12" x 18" Watercolor - Sandy Koufax

I never saw Koufax pitch but my dad raved about him. One of the greatest lefty's of all time. This is my third watercolor and I am finding it is a very likable medium. I first stained the paper with yellow ochre and a little burnt umber. Then I used Ultramarine Blue to establish some mid-tones and I used white gouache to add more opacity to the watercolor mixture. I am pleased with the way this one turned out but still looking for a little more drama.

The Human Vacuum Cleaner

Watercolor 9" x 18" - Brooks Robinson

The greatest defensive third baseman of all-time - Brook Robinson. Brooks could "pick it" at third like no other. He was a fine hitter as well but in the 1970 WS against the Reds he made so many outstanding plays they nicknamed him "The Human Vacuum Cleaner."

This my second watercolor (Aaron was my first) so I am still leaning how to push the paint around. I am starting another today. This time I'll try a pitcher.

Block

Quick caricature (portraiture) sketch of myself. Working on some caricatures of friends so I thought I would start with myself.

The Hammer

10" x 14" Watercolor - "The Hammer"

Hank Aaron was my hero growing up - Still the Homerun King in my opinion. Another limited palette approach. I used Ultramarine, Burnt Umber, and Cadmium Red. I tried the "pull technique" - which is laying in a medium to dark value and lifting the color out by wetting and blotting. Then I worked on the darks and lights adding detail.

Roberto Clemente

5" x 10" watercolor on 300lb watercolor paper

Working on Watercolor of Roberto Clemente. Using two colors - Ultramarine and Burnt Umber.

The Wizard of Westwood

UCLA legendary basketball coach John Wooden passed the other day. I always admired his wisdom. I learned a a lot from reading his books and studying his philosophy for success. He will be missed. A true man by any measure.

The Bird

Mark "The Bird" Fidrych

Charlie Hustle

Daily Sketch - Charlie Hustle - Pete Rose

The Outlaw

Sketch of Mr. Josey Wales. One of my all-time favorites. I reckon so.

The Mad Hungarian

How many of you old Braves fans remember when Al Hrabosky came to Atlanta in 1979? "The Mad Hungarian" had his best years with the Cardinals. I loved watching him put on a show.

Be Right

A simple study before I try my hand at painting the 2010 Masters Champion.

The J-Hey Kid

8.5" x 13" Acrylic on Illustration Board - Working

Like many of you - I am fascinated with the new Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward. A product of Henry County the big 20 year old slugger made an instant splash homering in his first major league at bat. I am not quite finished but since I had the camera out I went ahead and took a picture. I am into the abstract background right now and searching for a more painterly, loose, bold look - what do you think?