Using Something Different, Family Values by Rob Kulas

Watercolor is not my usual medium.

So for this challenge I chose these parameters. 

Use watercolor, only one color.

Use only one brush a 3/4 inch flat. 

No pencil pre-sketch brush only

And I could only sketch for 3 minutes. 

So I couldn't try to get details. Just values. Dark,mid and light.

I picked some random photo references a family member took.

These make my Family look like characters from the TV series...The Walking Dead but it was good practice at just seeing values.

I did these on cheap 4x6 index cards

Using something different, Big Brother by Rob Kulas

Watercolor is not my usual medium.

So for this challenge I chose these parameters.  Use watercolor, only one color. I chose to sketch on a 4x6 index card. I could only use one brush a 3/4 inch flat. And I could only sketch for 3 minutes. 

So I couldn't try to get details. Just values. Dark,mid and light.

I picked a random photo a family member took.

Big brother and little brother.

Water, Kalamazoo River Overpass, by Rob Kulas

Had a great time visiting Battle Creek Michigan. Took time to sketch and do small studies.

This is the Kalamazoo River and an overpass.

Because it alternated from sunny to cloudy about every 10 minutes it was challenging figuring out the lighting.

Acrylic 6x8 inches

Water, Huron River, by Rob Kulas

This past weekend I spent a couple of hours on a bank of the Huron River.

I decided to paint this view of a small scrub tree growing out of fallen and submerged tree limbs at the rivers bank.

I tried to capture the transparency of the water and the mysterious looking tree limbs and submerged growth.

Water, Huron River, by Rob Kulas

Acrylic paint on panel.

People, Cafe texting, Rob Kulas

I tried to paint a quick impression of this woman at the coffee shop texting while waiting for her friends to arrive.

Landscape, Mid April Afternoon by Rob Kulas

What a wonderful day today. It really feels like spring is here. Almost 70 degrees out. 

I had the opportunity this weekend to do a couple of field sketches at different locations.

This one I did in Okemos MI. 

6x8 Acrylic

Landscape, Barn Shadows by Rob Kulas

Saturday I went to one of the biggest barns in my state.

Even though it was a sunny day the winds were strong and it was quite cold, making my eyes water. 

I tried to find a spot that was a little out of the wind.

I tried to paint my impression of the marvelous shadows cast by the large barn onto a silo and small out building.

This is a great time of year, watching nature wake up and get color after a long cold winter.

Barn Shadows by Rob Kulas

Landscape, View from the front porch by Rob Kulas

Finally a sunny and warm day. It actually reached 65 degrees out. Just awesome.

I sat on the front porch and did a little acrylic sketch on a piece of cardboard.

Limited palette of 4 colors.

I have been experimenting with acrylic on cardboard lately and having fun with it.

Landscape, View from the front porch by Rob Kulas

Acrylic on cardboard. About 6x8.

Spring, Proud Lake area by Rob Kulas

Spring, Proud Lake area by Rob Kulas

Saturday I did a pleinair sketch at the Proud Lake area.

Some of the fallen trees looked to me like creatures walking the shoreline.

It was only 17 degrees, windy but sunny.

I experimented with acrylics and did this fast loose sketch.

I couldn’t use water with the acrylics or to clean my brushes because it would of turned to ice.

It was a fun day with beautiful surroundings.

Just wish it would warm up.

Acrylics on paper.

Spring, Transition, Rob Kulas

Spring, "Transition", by Rob Kulas

This has been a long, harsh winter.

We finally had some warmer weather over the last week and finally the snow is melting.

I painted this one out in a field. A great day to be outside.

I tried to portray the feel of "transition to spring". The snow melting quickly.

Soon the fresh spring colors will be in abundance.

Spring Transition by Rob Kulas

Still Life - End of the gardening season, by Rob Kulas

After picking the last few veggies from the garden  I decided to do a small still life of them.

End of the gardening season. 5 X 3.5

Stacks, Rock Wall, by Rob Kulas

This rock wall separating the yard from the field next door is over 150 years old.

Each heavy boulder was hand stacked and put into position.

I liked the light as it illuminated the leaves on our tree. I wanted to paint it before the leaves are gone for another season.

Rock Wall in October

6X6 Casein 

Life Events - Rainy Day - by Rob Kulas

Crazy weather today it rained on and off every 10 minutes. In between there was sunshine. I did my daily sketch today looking into a large puddle.

Rainy Day. Gouache on paper.

Flowers, - Mrs. K's Bed - by Rob Kulas

I painted one of the small beds of flowers in our front yard.

Mrs. K's bed. 5x7 by Rob Kulas

Flowers - Forgotten Pot - by Rob Kulas

There are a couple pots of flowers in the back of my yard that never seem to get enough attention.

I went back there today and realized they have been neglected. 

I thought I would do a quick sketch of one of them. 

Forgotten Pot 4 x 3.5 Watercolor

Flowers - Rainy Day - by Rob Kulas

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, very busy time for me.

I had some down time today and because it rained out I had to do my daily sketch from the indoors.

Flowers on a rainy day - Rob Kulas

6X6 Oil on Paper

Animals, Bears, By Rob Kulas

I did a quick sketch of one of the many animal decorations in the Cabin we rented recently.

Bears

Pitt Pens in sketchbook.

Animals, Sundae, By Rob Kulas

I have always loved Boston Terriers and was lucky to find a family who had a litter of puppies.
We eventually adopted a great looking 9 week old Boston and I named her Sundae.
She has been a wonderful addition to our family. Her playful spirit and fun-loving personality is a joy.

On her recent birthday I decided to paint a portrait of her.
Hopefully I caught the playful, curiosity she has in abundance.
Sorry for the bad photo, I had difficulty with the glare.

Sundae

6X6 Oil on panel

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Human beings and how they spend their time, Dream, Rob Kulas

I thought I would do something completely different for me.
I had a dream about a person I recently talked to. We talked about his life and time.
This sketch won't make sense out of the context of the dream but I wanted to capture it before I forgot the dream.

Pitt Artist Pen and watercolor.

Human beings and how they spend their time, The Reader, Rob Kulas

As she read her book I tried to sketch her in my Moleskine. 
Because I do a lot of landscapes I tend to see everything through the eyes of a landscape painter. 
Her curly hair was fun and I imagined drawing trees, and bushes. 
Her oversized hoodie reminded me of of hills, valleys and other topography. 
I don't know if my sketch does her justice, but it was really enjoyable to do.

The Reader

9B Graphite Pencil in Moleskine Sketchbook

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