Images from the Iowa Greenbelt

Just Down the Road-pastel

2012-01-27T19:39:00.001-08:00

Final Touches.. oil

2012-01-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

Working on finishing this piece I starting back in November 2011.

Waiting for the First Snow

2012-01-11T15:48:00.001-08:00

pastel on Uart Paper 18x24 inches

Iowa Jersey Girl 30x40 inches oil

2011-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hello painted this yesterday.

October Dry Spell 30x40 inches... oil on Canvas

2011-11-30T18:29:00.000-08:00

Autmn Yellows..oil 24x18

2011-11-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hello.. I have been working in oils --Here is one I have been playing with for the last couple of days.

In the Artist Studio

2011-10-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

35 x37 inches pastel on panel

Bumper Crop

2011-09-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

pastel on texured Board--9/2011

Iowa's Fields of Gold

2011-09-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Pastel 25x34 inches

Seasons Change

2011-09-14T19:26:00.001-07:00

Pastel 18x24 in ches

Feature in October 2011 issue of Pastel Journal

2011-09-07T13:40:00.001-07:00

Hello - I am happy to announce I will be featured in the October 2011 issue of the Pastel Journal. Use the following link for more info and to view some of the paintings being featured.

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/the-pastel-journal/tom-christopher-pastels?r=passshm082911&lid=passshm082911

September Afternoon

2011-09-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Pastel 24x30 on board

Autumn Shoreline-pastel 28x22

2011-08-23T17:57:00.001-07:00

Final Touches 30x40 inches

2011-07-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

pastel on gatorboard

North of Town

2011-07-19T12:54:00.001-07:00

painted today--28x22 inches pastel on prepared board

Short Dry Spell

2011-07-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

Painted this today as it was tooo hot to paint outside. 24x36 inches pastel on paper

Clear Lake-shore line

2011-07-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Painted this from a plein air study --18x24 inches pastel on prepared gator board.

Whats on my easel

2011-07-10T15:35:00.001-07:00

Hello, I have been working on this oil for some time now. I think I am gong to call it complete. oil on canvas 30x40 inches

Pastel Painting on Location

2011-06-27T17:21:00.001-07:00

Hello --made it out today for some plein air painting. started this on location and finished in the studio..

Midwest Autumn 30x40 --oil

2011-06-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

Finished this am -oil on canvas 30x40 inches

Summer Dream--pastel 36x24 inches

2011-06-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here I decided to do some dreaming of a nice summer landscape --no reference photo for this painting.

My plein air setup

2011-06-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hello -- I was able to take advantage of the great weather today. I spent the am plein air painting along the Iowa River. Here is a scene I completed on location. The pastel set up includes the Heilman pastel box and easel and a sturdy trypod. The whole set fits neatly in a back pack.

Century Homestead-pastel 18x24 inches

2011-06-15T19:53:00.001-07:00

Lower Pine Lake-pastel

2011-06-11T05:36:00.001-07:00

Graceful Pine 36x24 inches... pastel

2011-06-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

A Quiet Place

2011-04-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

pastel on reclaimed Uart paper... 18x24 inches

Limited Pallette

2011-04-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting with less color and focussing more on value..24x36 inches pastel on prepared board.

plein air study

2011-04-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hello I was able to paint outside today. A little windy but still a beautiful day about 9 x6inches --pastel on Uart paper

Gunner Creek -pastel

2011-03-31T18:29:00.001-07:00

Pastel on Uart Paper 24x30 inches

Not Quite Spring yet

2011-03-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

-pastel on uart 18x24 inches

Spring 2011

2011-03-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

pastel on Uart paper 16x16 inches

Finished

2011-03-14T07:55:00.001-07:00

I completed this painting today. I added the bike trail and a focal area.

Work in Progress-oil

2011-03-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

I started this painting today. I have determined the composition and the color scheme. Tomorrow I need to work on a focal area and a consistant light source.

South Fork-- Reworked

2011-03-11T17:39:00.000-08:00

I have been working on this oil for several weeks ..making changes and taking chances--oil on cnavas 40x30 inches

Take Me Home... oil 30x40 inches

2011-03-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

I started this yesterday. --Being relatively new to oil painting , It has been a challenge to critique my own progress. Not sure if I am finished at this stage--

Nature Takes Back

2011-03-05T15:11:00.000-08:00

I finished this piece yesterday. The midwest landscape this time of year is rather dull and void of color. The challenge for me was to add a spring pallete and a pleasing composition. pastel on Uart paper 22x28 inces

March-in like a Lamb

2011-03-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

pastel 16x20 inches on Uart paper

Quick Study--16x20 oil

2011-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:00

Finished today-been working on tone and gestural strokes.

South Fork oil

2011-02-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

completed today 40x30 inches oil on canvas

Looking North

2011-02-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

Finished and framed today 40x30 inches oil on canvas

First Bloom... pastel

2011-02-12T10:44:00.001-08:00

pastelon uart paper 16x20 inches

A Slight Breeze

2011-02-11T19:46:00.000-08:00

Pastel study 16x20 inches

Pine Lake Trail.. Oil

2011-02-11T10:21:00.000-08:00

Been having fun with oils- trying some different brush strokes trying to find my way.16x12 inches on wood panel

Wishful Thinking 2011

2011-02-09T10:22:00.000-08:00

Pastel on Uart paper 16x20 inches

Taking a Stand--oil

2011-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

Finished this morning --28x22 inches on canvas

East Bank-oil

2011-02-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

Completed today from a photo taken last fall 24x18 inches oil on canvas

The Heart of the Heartland

2011-01-31T18:17:00.000-08:00

This is the second attempt at this painting-wasn't satisfied with the early version.30x40 inches oil on canvas.

Near Eagle City

2011-01-31T07:52:00.001-08:00

24x36 inches oil on canvas

Winter Stand -Finished

2011-01-30T07:48:00.001-08:00

24x18 inches oil on canvas --available

Winter Stand

2011-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

24x18 oil oncanvas

Creek Bed

2011-01-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

another oil painting I am working on 24x36 inches

Deep in the Heartland

2011-01-22T17:06:00.001-08:00

Oil on canvas --30x40 inches

Workshop at the Terry Ludwig Studios March 2011

2011-01-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

NEWS-- I will be presenting, my pastel workshop " Just Paying Attention" at the Terry Ludwing Studios in Littleton, Colorado March 11, 12,and 13, 2011. For more information, clik on this link--http://terryludwig.com/workshops.html

When the Sun Shines -oil

2011-01-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

fianlly finished today. 24x36 inches oil on masonite.

Chasing the Winter Light-finished

2011-01-14T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hello this is the finished piece from the following demo I presented yesterday. 28x22 inches Pastel on Uart Paper. "NOTE" To view the last stage of the demo click on "older Posts" at the bottom of this page.

2 hour pastel demo number 1- my studio

2011-01-13T10:41:00.001-08:00

To begin this demo I am posting a photo of my stuio. As you can see I do not use an easel for pastel . I attach the paper to the wall unit to save space and to allow enough room for me work. I am very active when I paint so I am constantly walking back and forth on the piece in progress.

2 hour pastel demo number 2

2011-01-13T10:28:00.001-08:00

In this demo I am using a 28x22 inch sheet of Uart pastel paper 400 grit mounted on black gator foam. The pastels are Terry Ludwid, Mt Vision, and nupastel. The total painting time was 1 hour 53 minutes. Keep in mind I will still need to touch up areas of the painting that are unresolved.

After years of working in pastels I am becoming more aware of the imortance of light in creating drama and interest.

2 hour pastel demo number 3

2011-01-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

In the initial stage I lightly sketch the composition using a medium blue Nupastel. A this point I have determined the light will be coming from the west and the time of day will be late afternoon.

2 hour pastel demo number 4

2011-01-13T10:19:00.001-08:00

In this stage, I liquified the pastel drawing using a paint brush dipped in turpinoid. With the help of a paper towel I am able to create a value study , identifying the darkest and lightest areas.

2 hour pastel demo number 5

2011-01-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

After the liquified pastel dried I appply a light a layer of dark crimson over the entire area to warm the painting .

2 hour pastel demo number 6

2011-01-13T10:00:00.001-08:00

Here I continue to apply local color and sharpen edges also setting in a snow lit area as a second focal point.

2 hour pastel demo

2011-01-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here is the all most finished painting. i still have some sharpening up to do but the basics are there. i will set it aside let it and myself rest for awhile.

Late Afternoon Light---oil 30x24

2011-01-12T13:43:00.000-08:00

I reworked an oil painting I completed a few weeks ago- 30x24 inches oil on panel

Mid Morning-winter

2011-01-12T08:33:00.000-08:00

Painted today--sort of a fast technique I have been trying out. pastel on uart paper 16x20 inches

Sad Goodbye--24x30

2011-01-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

A devastating hail storm in 2009 claimed numurous pine trees in our local county park. Here are three dead pines marked to be taken down ..pastel on paper

Deep in the Timber-oil 22x28 inches

2010-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

After about a week of working on this piece I am calling it finished. oil on gessoed board.

late Fall 2010

2010-12-23T17:32:00.000-08:00

Here is an oil painting I have been working on for a few days. 24x36 inches on canvas.

It Was a Cloudy Day 16x20 oil

2010-12-22T19:32:00.000-08:00

I made a commitment to myself to spend my studio time working primarily in oils this winter. Slowly I am becoming more comfortable in oils with each new piece. the learning process can be quite frustrating at times tho.

Early Autumn --oil

2010-12-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hello been working in oils this winter. Here is one I have been painting for the last week or so. I am learning how to control the medium a little with each new work. Still along way to go before I will be satisfied . 24x30 inches on canvas.

One Fine Day--November 2010

2010-12-01T19:27:00.000-08:00

Painted today 24x18 inches ..pastel

Nov Snow 2010

2010-11-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Painted today--14x18 pastel on paper

Higher Ground

2010-11-20T17:42:00.001-08:00

Hello finally finished this pastel today (after several changes) 30x24 inches

The Heartland

2010-11-17T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello I painted this study today in advance of a larger studio piece..pastel on prepared board 12x18inches

Lower 40... oil

2010-11-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

Hello.. I broke out the oil paints for this painting. I continue to struggle with oil still not satisfied... I have decided to continue to work on this piece and see where it takes me. 24x30 inches oil on canvas.

End of Autumn

2010-11-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

A quick one painted today 12x9 inches pastel on uart paper

OverGrown--Timber series oct 28

2010-10-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

painted today from a recent photo. Too windy outside for plein air work..16x20 inches.. pastel

A Blustery Day

2010-10-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hello --painted this today from a photo taken this am --too windy for plein air ...pastel... 16x20 inches on Uart pastel paper

Spring Creek

2010-10-22T13:38:00.001-07:00

Painted today 16x20 inches pastel on Uart paper

Evening Calm

2010-10-17T14:07:00.001-07:00

Hello painted this today from memory 12x24 inches pastel on paper

plein air--finished in the studio

2010-10-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hello painted this today ..another beautiful Autumn day in the 70's and sunny..pastel on Uart paper 11x14 inches

Almost Too Much Color

2010-10-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

This time of year can be challenging to paint as the leaves are at the peek on the Autumn season. 24x18 inches pastel on Uart paper..

OCT 6 2010 --plein air

2010-10-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Plein air completed today --beautiful day.. temp in the 70's 14x11 inches pastel on Uart paper

Old Dirt Road

2010-09-30T11:44:00.001-07:00

Finished this painting today--24x36 inches pastel on uart paper

Approaching Autumn

2010-09-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

hello painted this today from yesterday's reference photo. 16x20 inches on Uart pastel paper

Low Water

2010-09-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

Hello started this on location pastel on Uart paper 30x24 inches

Early September 2010

2010-09-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

I painted this Plein air this am. Finished in the studios.pastel 16x20 inches. Uart paper

Back Water

2010-09-07T19:32:00.001-07:00

Hello--I started this on location today ,however, the wind forced me back into the studio..pastel on uart paper.

Seven Am--34x30 inches... pastel....

2010-08-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

I finished this painting today. I scene is near my home as the sun starts its journey across a late summer sky

River Edge

2010-08-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

Painted this plein air today- it was a beautiful morning to paint on location

Big Creek --class demo- 11x14 --pastel

2010-08-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hello -- painted this from a reference photo taken last week.

Crosses Ford---Plein Air--14x18 pastel

2010-08-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hidden Stream

2010-08-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Painted today from a photo taken last weekend..11x14 inches pastel on Uart paper.

Iowa River Bankl

2010-08-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hello -painted this today from a plein air study 14x18 pastel on paper

NEWS--AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

2010-08-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hello - I am pleased to announce I was presented with the " Award of Excellence" for my pastel paintings while particpating in the 2010 College Hill Art Festival

July 30 plein air

2010-07-29T13:28:00.001-07:00

A beautiful morning to paint on location--16x20 pastel on papar

Bait Shop

2010-06-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hello --painted this today--30x24 inches pastel on Uart paper.

Iowa River.. Summer

2010-06-23T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hello --painted this yesterday on a sheet of reclaimed Uart paper. pastel 22x28 inches.

Early light Autumn

2010-06-08T18:00:00.001-07:00

hello. painted this tonight for a wedding present --hope the couple like it. 20x16 pastel

Along the California Coast

2010-05-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Hello-I just returned from a painting vacation along I-101 outside Carmel Ca. I started this large pastel when I returned home to Iowa. 32x40 inches pastel.

Fields of Gold

2010-04-26T14:40:00.000-07:00

I went back to an old surface to paint this piece. pastel on Canson paper . about 22x28 inches.