SketchBook entry: Underwater Scenes

Coral Reef is the newest entry:

Coral reef is the latest entry :

Paint box

 Last night's sketch.   Meaningless to most, but good practice to me.

Pages from my Sketchbook

I have finally decided to get back to trying to do a sketch a day, something I used to do in another life.
Here was last night's page of objects that were near my chair:

Beach Mural

This was a beach mural I did for a gentleman in the next town.

The wall space was 3'x17'.......not your usual kind of wall for a mural.   I labored over this design for about 2 weeks before settling on how I would paint it.   He had certain elements that he wanted included, so I had to consider those also. 

My photos of the mural are not very clear, but you can get the gist of it.

My next project

Now that my Bear on the Chain has been safely delivered to the Antioch Chamber, Antioch, Il, I am looking forward to my next project.

A gentleman has a family room that he would like a beach scene mural in.  Ok, no problem I said when I confirmed his address and a time to come over to look at the room. Usually I get a nice big, blank wall, 8x10 or larger, to paint on.
Well...............this is a blank wall alright, but it is above a chair railing, so the dimensions are 3' high by 17' long.  A challenge to say the least.  I have labored over how to present it..........water to the front, land along the back........or vice versa.  How to fit in all the requirements (huts, palm trees, etc) that he wants in it. 
Sketching and graphing the design in small sketchbooks just wasn't making it for me, so I finally taped some red paper (like found in Menards), 3'x17' long on the wall in my basement and started working on the design in that manner.  I think I have it good in my head now what I am going to do on Monday, May 23, when I start at his house.

I can't seem to get the pictures to align into a panaramic view for you, so use your imagination !
I will post pics as I progress on the mural

Bears on the Chain...........COMPLETED !!

I have finally completed my Bear on the Chain!!

To reiterate what this project has been about, the town of Antioch, IL, secured seated, fiberglass Bear sculptures for local artists to paint.  On submitting designs for the Bears, a sponsor (local business, etc), chose the design they wanted to purchase.  The name Bears On The Chain comes from the chain of lakes in the area.
In June, the Bears (35 in all), will be placed in businesses and other establishments in the town for display to the public.  Then in Sept, the Bears will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to the Antioch high school scholarship fund, Open Pantry and Save-a-Pet.

My bear was named, "Something Fishy's Going On."

Here he is as I got him, ................................and here he is finished.

Bear on the Chain............nearing completion !!!

I am almost finished with my Bear on the Chain.   By the way, in case I never said, his themed name is "Something Fishy's Going On". 
I have a little bit of painting yet to do, varnish him and tomorrow I am going to my local dive shop and picking up a pair of kids fins to put on his front feet (where you see the bright green now).

On completion, these will be displayed in June in different businesses and other establishments in the town of Antioch, IL, and then auctioned off in Sept., with the proceeds going to local charities.