It's just a plant......



Lone Promise
12 x 12 Pastel on PastelMat
©Randy Hamburg

Sometimes as artists, we want to take in the big picture and include everything in our reference be it plein air or from a reference photo.  When we paint a "large" scene in a small space, we can get away with only a few marks to indicate a tree, a building, or a mountain.  Isn't it the same way in life in general?  We all get so busy that we often don't see the small things.  Instead of a bloom, we see a flower garden or an ocean instead of a cove.

One of the things I constantly have to battle is painting the entire reference photo.  Think about it, we took the photo for a reason.  There was something we liked and inspired us from be it the composition, the colors, etc. 

Recently my daughter sent me some photos she had taken in California that she felt would make good references for paintings.  She really has a good eye for reference material and has sent me quiet a few from her travels.  One the Vasquez photos in particular caught my eye; good composition, lots of depth, a really good start.  As I spent more time doing thumbnail sketches from to work from, I kept coming back to this one plant that stood out.  It lead me to taking only a part of the reference photo for "Lone Promise".  After pushing the color a bit from the reference, I'm pleased with the way it turned out.  Here's the original reference photo.

I'd really like to hear from any of you to let me know what you think of my blog.  I've only been blogging for a very short time and would like your comments.  What do you like about it, what should I add and what would you like to see included?

Hope you enjoy and, as always,

Keep Painting!

First Pastel.....

Black Rock Sunset
Pastel on Canson 32 x 27
©Randy Hamburg

About four years ago is when I began painting again after 30 years.  I had sketched and painted in pastel and a few watercolors when I was in high school.  I had always enjoyed painting but never seemed to have the time for it or let other "projects" take precedence. After our first trip to Hawaii, I came home with inspirational photos that just needed to be painted.  As I was going through them, I kept coming to a sunset photo of Black Rock on Maui that just screamed to be my first attempt to begin painting again.

I began with a starter set of pastels and worked for what seemed like weeks off and on trying to make that painting a work of art.  I think many new painters fall into the same trap.  If I'm going to be a painter, every painting has to be worthy of hanging on a wall in a gallery, or at least in a home.  I wanted to show it off and get favorable comments from my friends that yes, it is an outstanding painting.  We all want to be complemented, sometimes just to build our ego.

As we grow, we get past that point and realize that every painting isn't going to be a masterpiece but we learn from each and every one, even if sometimes they end up in the trash.  More than I can count have been trashed or recycled.  I've grown to the point that now, I paint for the joy of painting, and as long as I'm happy with the result, it's a good painting.

As far as that first pastel (pictured above), it turned out pretty good for someone who hadn't painted in so long.  Although now, after a few years, I can see all sorts of things I would change if I were painting it now, it's special to me because it was the first in the new journey.  And by the way, it is framed and hanging on a wall in my house.  Not because it's a great painting, but because it's special to me and my wife to remind us of our first trip to Hawaii.

Keep painting!

A Painting In Progress....

Texas Creek WIP
Pastel on Pastelboard
©Randy Hamburg

Recently we were driving some of the back roads in Texas and came across a creek bed running through a field normally used for grazing.  Since it's spring here, the wildflowers were in full bloom and looked like a quilt across the countyside.  I quickly took a few reference pictures and began planning my painting.  To add a bit of interest, I've added some mountains in the distance which aren't found in southeast Texas.

One of the questions we have as painters is how to say what we want to say with our paintings.  When I began painting, I took the reference very literally and tried to paint it exactly as it was.  In some cases this meant putting in each and every blade of grass, every tree (and its limbs), drawing each ripple in the water.  As I've grown as an artist, I've realized that kind of detail causes "over painting" a scene.  If I wanted that detail, why not just have the photo framed?

I think most new artists go through the same thing.  In trying to exactly recreate a photo reference we learn so much about color value, color mixing, perspective and a myriad of other things that are necessary to grow.  After going through this stage, we come to realize that we can make changes.  If I don't like where a tree is in the reference, I have the license to move it or delete it entirely if it makes a stronger composition.  It's a continuing process.  As long as we paint, we continue to learn what makes a strong painting and we constantly strive to learn more and get better.

I'm about 75% complete with the above painting and at this point, it's time to step back and apply those lessons I've learned and see where changes need to be made.  What parts am I pleased with and what parts don't make me happy.  And with each painting, I learn something else that I can apply to the next painting.  Later, I'll post the completed painting and we'll see what changes I made, what lessons did I apply.  Let me hear from you, I'd love your feedback about my paintings and my blog in general.

What lessons are you learning today and how will you apply them in the future?

Keep painting!

Painting together....

Kelli and Me

Inspiration can be drawn from anywhere, not just painting, but inspiration for all areas of our lives.  One of the people that most inspires me is my daughter.  Kelli is a pediatric oncology nurse working with children with cancer.  Personally, I think most of us couldn't do what she does, serving the children that in many cases won't be with us long.  Not only does she do her "nursing" duties, but in most cases becomes friends with the kids and their parents and goes the extra mile(s) in making connections on a personal level.  And I've learned from her stories and those of her colleagues how much it means to the kids to have a familiar face with them, playing with them, and making their time in the hospital as good as it can be.

For the past couple of years, Kelli has been a traveling nurse working 3 month temporary assignments in hospitals around the nation.  On of my joys is her coming home between assignments and getting to spend time with her.  Usually, we try to do a bit of painting together - our daddy/daughter time.  On one of her recent trips home, we spent a couple of hours, took the same reference photo and painted to see how each of us interpreted it.  The photo above is of the two of us just after we finished.  I loved the result so much that I had the paintings framed together.

Daddy and daughter paintings.

Inspiration - who or what inspires you? 

Be inspired by the people and beauty around you and keep painting!

Progress of a Painting....

Archusa Morning
Pastel on UArt  12 x 18
©Randy Hamburg

Painting is a process.  While some painters can simply begin a painting with no forethought, I find that working through a process works best for me.  I tend to make too many changes "on the fly" if I don't have a plan which usually results in a painting with undefined areas and no particular center of interest.  Today I'd like to show you a bit of my process.  First of all, I need something that inspires me.  It can be a photo, an object that I can build a painting around, or a plein air scene.  I usually begin with a thumbnail sketch to work out the composition while concentrating on the large mass values.  Below is the thumbnail sketch for "Archusa Morning".

Once I'm happy with the layout, I begin with a block in of major shapes making any adjustments as needed.  Note the value differences in the shapes.

The block-in sets the stage for the rest of the painting.  It provides me with a "road map" going forward.

I can now concentrate on color and value, generally beginning with the most distant part of the painting.  Below are shown the next few steps in the process.

Here, I've begun with the sky creating depth by working with lighter colors in the most distant sky near the horizon.

Next comes the distant treeline.  I've used a mixture of warm and cool colors to create depth within the treeline itself.

I can now work on the lake and the foreground.  For these, I've chosen to highlight the small island of brush in the lake.  At this point, I began to work on the details of the foreground and point of interest.

I also want to include the reference photo for this painting so that you can compare it to the finished work.

 Let me know your thoughts.  If you were painting this scene, what would you have done differently?

Keep painting!

Adding a new dimension....

Boy in Green
Pastel on UArt, 5 x 7
©Randy Hamburg

Today's challenge painting is one I've been putting off for a few days.  It contains a figure - go figure why I put it off.  I've mentioned in the past that I need more practice painting man made objects.  Well, I need even more painting "man",  I love painting landscapes and have never really had a desire to paint portraiture.  I guess we each have what we like, and what we don't.  Sometimes however, even a landscape needs a human being in it as a center of interest or to support the overall painting.  What's a beachscape without beachgoers, or what's a cityscape without people on the streets?

In this painting I've suggested swimmers and sunbathers on the beach.  That's easy, especially in a small pastel.  A stroke here and another there and we have suggestions of people.  The problem is when we need a more detailed person.  When we were in Antigua, I took the photo reference for this painting.  While the beach was crowded, this one small boy was standing on the dock patiently waiting.  It seemed to be the perfect opportunity to practice my skills at painting a figure.  Actually, it turned out better than I expected for a quick study and will give me the confidence to try more.

Hope you like it.

Keep Painting!

Inspiration in disaster (Houston floods)....

Today's blog is off the subject of painting, but living in Houston this week, we've seen amazing stories of God's grace and inspiration.  Since the title is Inspiration from My Life, I feel this is appropriate. Houston has been hit with a 500 year flood and places that never had water in the past are flooded.  Above are three pictures of the flooding in northwest Houston and the Cypress area from the rains that hit Monday.  While we always seem to hear the bad stories, this week the news has been filled with stories of neighbors helping neighbors.  People getting their boats, canoes and rafts and helping evacuate, groups coming together to provide food, water and clothing to those who had to leave with nothing.  We'll get back to painting with my next post, but in the meantime take a moment and say a prayer for those affected by the floods here and take inspiration from all the goodness in people when they come together.

Keep painting!

Trying something new......

Ready for Market
Pastel on UArt 7 x 5
©Randy Hamburg

We all find a comfortable place be it in painting or in life.  It’s that place where we’re not challenged, where we can just sit back and not have to push ourself.  Sometimes I feel like “Crash” Davis in the final scene of the movie “Bull Durham”.  I just want to be.  I’ll tackle the problems later, or work out that composition that just won’t come together.  My comfort place in painting is landscapes.  If I make an extra branch or move the tree entirely from the reference, then it’s ok.  I can change the direction of a river if it leads the viewers eye to the spot I want in the painting.

In my last post I discussed my problems with buildings.  Today, I’m sort of working in between.  While I’m not painting buildings, I am painting man-made objects and maybe that will help me work up to painting buildings, towers, and more cityscapes.  For me, it’s pushing my painting in an attempt to become better.  This scene is another from the islands.  When we disembarked, vendors were finishing their setup for the daily market.  There were bright colors everywhere.  I’ve tried to capture the colors and the time just before market opened.  Let me hear from you.  What do you think, have I captured it and what does it make you think of with you see the painting?  Where is your comfort place and do you push yourself beyond it?

Keep painting!

The Good, The Bad, The Frustration…..

A Failed Attempt

I’m not one to hold back.  I knew that eventually in doing this painting challenge, there would come some pretty very bad practice studies, so, as with the good, I’m also going to share the bad.

As painters, we all go through highs and lows with the results of our work. Sometimes what you see in your mind as a finished work doesn’t turn out like you planned.  As they say, everything works in theory, but not so much in practice.  To expand our knowledge and skill as artists, we need to push ourselves into areas where we are not comfortable.  For me, one of the least comfortable areas in pastel painting is street scenes.  I know this going into the painting, but I also know that I’ll only improve by trying.  I can study other artist’s paintings, go over lessons both on line and in person, but I feel like a beginner.   Only practice will resolve my discomfort.

Maybe it’s a lack of confidence.  I don’t approach street scenes like I do landscapes.  I’m not as bold. I’m more concerned with how the painting will turn out rather than just enjoying the process.  Today's practice challenge is a 5 x 7 island street scene.  From my viewpoint, it’s some of my worst work and I became so frustrated that I didn’t even finish it.  I had planned to have vehicles on the street, and shoppers on the sidewalk, but after looking at the buildings I just threw up my hands.

After reflecting on my reaction and getting over the frustration, I realized that there is a lot to be learned from the failed attempt.  I can now take time and calmly analyze where I went wrong, what areas I need to work on, and take steps to improve on my next street scene.  Is it a problem for me?  Yes, definitely at this moment but I need to remember, problems are only challenges that give us opportunities, opportunities to grow.  (Not only in art, but in life in general.)  So, next time you confront a problem, remember that it’s just an opportunity in disguise!

Keep painting! (even when they turn out really bad)

Why do I paint…..

Standing Tall
 Pastel 9 x 12 on Canson
Available from Artist
©Randy Hamburg

Mountain Retreat
Acrylic on Canvas 40 x 30
Available from Artist
©Randy Hamburg

Recently, a friend asked me why I paint.  It’s something I’ve never really put a lot of thought into, it’s just something I do.  If you ask ten artists why they paint, I would bet you’ll get ten different answers. But for most there’s a common thread, just for the sheer enjoyment.

I find a joy in both the creative process and in the finished work but I paint just because I enjoy it.  When I’m painting, I get lost in my own world, it’s just me and the canvas.  It’s a way to “escape” the daily grind we all go through.  It’s amazing the process I go through without ever realizing it.  What will I paint?  How will I lay out the composition and each color mass?  What colors to use, how much detail and what do I want the painting to say?  I spend time painting and the results are either successes or failures. 

Being the optimist I am, I look at each failure as simply a chance to learn something.  Was it the mark making, or maybe the colors came out muddy because of too much mixing?  By spending time to determine where the painting went wrong, I learn not to repeat the same mistake.

But then, there’s the painting that really comes together.  Everything falls into place and I’ve created something that surprises even me.  The two paintings above fall into that category.  I hope you like them.

Keep painting!

Sunset over Miami - Drawing or Painting?

Sunset Over Miami
Pastel on UArt 7 x 5
©Randy Hamburg

This is the third in my Challenge series.  Sailing away from Miami, we caught a last glimpse of the sun as it set over Miami.  I was struck by the fiery color reflected off the bottom of the clouds and the reflections off the building silhouettes.   

I’m happy with the clouds in the painting but feel the buildings still need work.  One of the issues I’ve noted is with painting buildings in general.  When do we hard edges vs keeping the edges soft so as to maintain the airy feel of the overall painting.  

I tend to find this same problem with most objects that aren’t natural to the landscape, buildings, vehicles, fences, etc.  Maybe it’s the fine line between trying to draw the objects rather than paint them? I think this is a common problem with many artists.  We paint part of the objects (trees, rocks, etc.) but we try to draw man made objects.  This creates a conflict of styles within the same painting and takes away from the overall work.  I’ll be working on this as I continue the challenge.

I look forward to hearing from you with comments and suggestions.

Keep painting!

Representational painting….

Southbeach Sunset Reflections
7 x 5 Pastel on UArt
©Randy Hamburg

What is representational art?  We all think of something different when we hear "representational art".  I think most will agree that representational art depicts images that are clearly recognizable for what that purport to be.  However, representational art encompasses a wide range from the barely recognizable to photo-realism.  For example, a banana is recognizable whether its painted in yellow, blue or any other color.

As a representational artist, I’m an observer and paint what I see.  However, since I also interpret the subject, my paintings will be different from another artist who is painting the same subject.  In my paintings I also attempt to leave something for the observer to interpret, a place where the observer can make a connection with the painting.

Today’s painting is from a photo taken as we were leaving Miami.  As we sailed by South Beach, the sun was setting.  In the distance past South Beach, most of the buildings had a pink reflection that was captivating.  While I believe the composition of the painting works, there is not, from my viewpoint, enough contrast in the value masses.  This is something I’ll be working on as I continue in my 21 painting challenge.  Feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts.

Keep painting!

Painting Challenge....

Leaving Miami Harbor
5 x 7 Pastel on UArt
©Randy Hamburg

I recently returned from an Art at Sea cruise where I studied Plein Air Lite painting with 6 other painters from across the US.  Pastelist Karen Margulis presented workshops focused on Plein Air painting using a minimum amount of equipment.  Karen challenged us to paint more to become better painters and gave us the 21 in 21 Challenge.  The basic idea is to paint 21 small paintings (5 x 7) in 21 days.  For some of us, no problem.  However, when you work full time, finding the time to paint every day can present problems.  As I’m in the latter category, my plan is to paint 20 – 25 pastels over the next 30 or so days.  As I mentioned in my previous post, the best way to become more proficient is to practice, practice, practice. Well, I guess I should take my own advice.

Above is my first of the challenge.  This is taken from a reference photo as our ship was leaving Miami.  As you can see, my perspective was from above.

I’ll be posting my progress as I complete each painting along with some of my thoughts and would like to hear your comments about the paintings.  Constructive criticism, especially from experienced painters, is always appreciated.  At the end of the challenge, it should be interesting to see how much progress I’ve made.

Keep Painting!

Becoming a better painter....

"To be good is not enough when you dream of being great" – Anonymous

Desert Blooms 002, Pastel on Wood Panel,

14 x 11, Available from Artist
©Randy Hamburg

Don’t we all desire to be great at something?  We feel pride when we’re told we’re a great parent, or a great friend, or we’re great at(fill in the blank).  Who wants to be merely mediocre? 

My desire is to be a great painter, but what are some of the things it takes? 

Passion:  When you love something, you want to do it.  You have fun doing it and think about it constantly.  Passion drives excellence.

Skill:  Learn it!  Read, listen to those who know how to do it, attend workshops, get feedback from those more experienced on how to make improvements.

Practice.  Practice to become better, make mistakes and learn from them.  After a few years you’ll become good at it.

Mentors:  Surround yourself with people who share your passion.

Practice some more.  Some estimate that it takes 6 – 10 years to become great at something depending on the time you put into it.  How much are you willing to put into your passion.  Are you willing to put in enough to become great?

So, to hold myself accountable, I’ve started this blog.  It will be my record of what I’m doing to become a great painter.  I'll be starting a plan for practicing to improve my painting skills and I invite you to join me.  Hopefully, as you get to know me, it will also motivate you and help you improve as you follow my progress.  

Remember, practice, practice, practice!