Daily painting #57: Hills Plaza

I paid a visit to Hills Plaza, a pleasant street in Friendship Village, just north of the DC-Maryland line. I liked the way the streetlamps lined up, and I also wanted to say something about the competition between trees and buildings in the background. I was still painting away when darkness fell, so I gave up before I felt I was finished; once again I gave short shrift to the flowers in the flower pot! Not to mention the tops of the street lamps. I will touch them up tomorrow.

Geoff Watson, “Hills Plaza,” June daily painting #26, oil on panel, 8” x 10,” 2019.

Softball

I brought my fountain pens and watercolors to a softball game today. First I sketched a few people hanging out before the game.

Geoff Watson, "Hanging out," ink wash on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

At the diamond, I started with this quick pen-and-ink sketch of the catcher.

Geoff Watson, "Catcher," ink wash on paper, about 3" x 5," 2018.

And a quick sketch of the coach.  Alas, I closed the sketchbook too soon, and some of the ink ran, but it still captures his gesture.

Geoff Watson, "Coach," ink wash on paper, about 1" x 3," 2018.

Next, a ballplayer.

Geoff Watson, "Ballplayer," ink and watercolor on paper, about 5" x 7," 2018.

I have some earlier sketches of players at bat and some infield action, but I haven't gotten around to photographing them. So for now you'll have to settle for a watercolor sketch of fans in the bleachers.

Geoff Watson, "Softball fans," ink and watercolor on paper, about 5" x 8," 2018.

More iPad sketches

I’ve been spending more time playing with Procreate, a sketch/paint app for the iPad. I’m getting more comfortable with it. Maybe I’ll add some color next.

Geoff Watson, “Profile from imagination,” iPad sketch, 2018.

Geoff Watson, “iPad doodles,” iPad, 2018.

Sunset over The Irene

 This venerable apartment building in Chevy Chase is now called 4701 Willard, but many people still know it by its old name, The Irene. I was attracted to the golden light on the rooftop; it looked like an Italian village, sort of. Yes, the vertical shadow on the left is distracting; I was so eager to add darks that I overdid this one. I'll tone it down later.

As I painted I noticed figures on top of the roof, and a couple seemed to be sprinting! Passersby explained to me that there are tennis courts or swimming pools or something athletic up there. 

Geoff Watson, "Sunset over The Irene," oil on canvas panel, 8" x 10," 2017.

Two ocean views

Today my daughter Maddie and I painted the same beach, though from slightly different vantage points, and with two decidedly different moods. Hers is upbeat and sunny; mine is somewhat darker. Hers is especially impressive because it's the first oil painting she's done since she was about 9 years old.

Maddie Watson, "Windy beach", oil on panel, 8" x 10".

Geoff Watson, "Surf at Cape Henlopen," oil on panel, 8" x 10".