The five most important elements in painting or drawing regardless of medium are: shape, value, value gradations, placement and edges. 

Our visual perception of three dimensional objects on the picture plane is controlled by the shapes and placement of various blocks each having differing color values from those adjacent to it. Whether we perceive the shapes as being flat or curved depends upon the gradations in value within a given shape and the nature of its boundaries with adjacent shapes. An abrupt edge signals a sharp break between two blocks whereas a gradational edge signals a curved boundary.  Another element is texture which is really a type of value gradation that is repeated in some way.  By proper manipulation of these elements masterpieces have been created without any concern for color.  Making use of the additional color properties of hue, intensity and value certainly adds to the interest of most paintings and provide still more challenges for the artist.

Pencil drawings are particularly useful for new painters as they provide some simplification of subjects in that they only have to worry about  shape, value, value gradations, placement and edges.  Drawing is really just monochrome painting in shades of gray, so extensive drawing practice makes for better painters.  I will repeat what has been told by many good artists - If you want to paint well then DRAW, DRAW, DRAW.

This portrait was inspired by a photo we had taken several years ago.  It was always one of Lynne's favorites so I thought it would be a good start for a portrait.  I have avoided doing people portraits for many years because they require exteme attention to detail in order to achieve a good likeness.  Lynne was sufficiently pleased with it that it will grace the wall of our master bedroom.  It is a 20 x 24-inch acrylic on canvas board.

I was impressed with the way the low angle sun was shining through the clear water in these rapids on Icicle Creek near Leavenworth, Washington.  I took several photos but they failed to show the brilliance of the sun on the water.  The first painting is a quick study to see if I could improve what was displayed in the photos. 

This is a 11 x 14-inch acrylic on watercolor paper created in about 1 hour.  It fails to show the wildness of the water and does not have enough contrast.  In the full scale painting I really want to emphasize the three main places where the sunlight shows through the water, and the turbulent water. 

The sun shining through the pale blue milky glacial meltwater provided an amazing array of colors for this 21 x 29-inch acrylic on watercolor paper.  I darkened the background and removed the distraction of the trees.  A larger view of this painting is in the gallery.