USC Rose Garden

These are more of my 100 color sketches I am trying to make. They were done at the Rose Garden at USC. I think I am in my 30s now. I have to count.

Color Sketches

Here are some more of my color sketches. These are from a book I had on the Silk Road. These are color sketches 21 to 24.

These are from some photos I took at Diaz Lake when I was on the Manzanar Workshop. These are #25, 26 and 27.

Peter Strauss Ranch

These are color sketches 16 to 20

I painted four color sketches at the Peter Strauss Ranch today. When they are dry I will add them to this post. . .
"This enchanting oak woodland in the Santa Monica Mountains has long been a source of dreams, visions, and memories. Inhabited for thousands of years by the Chumash people, this area became part of Rancho Las Virgenes after Spanish colonization. The original coast live oak, used as the marker in the 1881 land grant survey, still stands just west of the swimming pool. The upside-down letter “T” is still evident in the bark. The “vision of enchantment” continues at this site today with hiking, concerts, picnics, and art exhibits. Explore this peaceful refuge and create some memories of your own.
At the turn of the century, Harry Miller purchased the ranch as a weekend retreat from his residence and automobile factory in Los Angeles. His patented master carburetor and “Miller Specials,” featured at Indianapolis 500 car races, brought him fame. In 1926, Harry built many structures including the stone ranch house, the “look out tower” and the aviary. The Depression and his attempt at aircraft-engine development resulted in financial ruin, the loss of the ranch, and an end to his dreams.
In the mid 1930’s, Warren Shobert and Arthur Edeson purchased the ranch, transforming the place into “Shoson”—a fairyland of charm and a paradise for children and adults. Later, a dam was constructed on Triunfo Creek, creating a small lake. The resort was renamed “Lake Enchanto.” Competition from other, larger amusement parks and resorts led to the decline of “Lake Enchanto.” It fell into disrepair and closed around 1960.
Actor Peter Strauss was deeply moved by the area’s natural beauty while filming the mini-series “Rich Man, Poor Man” at Malibu Lake in 1976. He purchased the property and restored the site to its original splendor, living here until 1983. Due to his sensitivity and concern for the natural environment, Strauss sold the ranch to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The National Park Service purchased the ranch in 1987 as part of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, dedicated to the preservation of our natural and cultural history."

Inspiration - 100 Color Sketches

I am looking for some influences for these 100 Color Sketches. I want them to look good and stand on there on. I started to think of vintage posters.

I love how this Glacier is reduced down to some basic shapes.

I am inspired how this shadow area still reads as a hillside.

Matisse seems like the perfect inspiration for this assignment.

I like this one a lot. Reads well even thou there are very few colors.

I love the colors in this mountain.

These colors here are stunning.

This is a photo I took of Diaz Lake. I started to play with simplifying in photoshop.

100 Color Sketches - First 15

I am working on this Assignment in the Virtual Academy Program:
ASSIGNMENT TWO: OUTDOOR COLOR STUDIES
Time required:
The work you do on these assignments that will give you a strong color sense. Unfortunately there are no quick fixes. Very few painters really master color to this degree. The good news is that if you put the effort into it, your paintings will really stand out from the crowd for their color.
What to do:
Paint 100 6x8in (15x20cm) color studies outdoors over the course of the next three to six months. Notes ♦ Keep the studies to a few broad flat areas of paint as if you were making the painting out of about seven to ten pieces of colored paper that you have cut out and stuck on to the canvas. ♦ Do not spend more than one hour on each sketch, and try to improve your speed to get as quick as 20 minutes for each sketch. ♦ Number each one on the back from 1 to 100. Tip ♦ Use your digital camera to check your values if you are having problems with your color. It is most likely that you are having a value problem. Cautions ♦ Get one of your earlier studies reviewed by your instructor before you do too many studies, to ensure your are on the right track. ♦ Count the patches of paint. If you have more than ten, try to simplify the design and reduce the number of patches.

I did these at the LA Arboretum May 27th.
Paintings #1 through #4 (These are too complicated with too many shapes)

These were done in Village Green between May 19th and May 26th.

Paintings #5 through #10
I like this first one

This is not reading well.

I think this one is more on track.

This is one of my favorites so far.

This is not reading well.

I did these May 20th at the Los Angeles Arboretum.

Paintings #11 - #15
I think this is working.

I like this one.

This is one of my favorites.

I am indifferent to this one.

I feel like this one looks like there is a corn dog in the foreground.