dee farnsworth

2012-01-25T11:10:00.001-08:00

I am receiving way too much spam as comments on this blog, which is on a temporary leave of absense. Any ideas how to rid myself of spam?

new sketchbook

2011-05-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

a new weather sketchbook started and no time to post things. This is massive horrid pollen blowing off trees by the tennis court.

i accidently deleted these

2011-05-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

trying to update my blog and put new labels to make it easier to find paintings.

6 years of life drawings recycled

2011-03-10T07:47:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to deal with a rain leaked studio.

One minute quick sketches

2011-02-20T14:21:00.000-08:00

wow.. i almost forgot how to upload to the blog.. let alone draw.

I will make more paintings

2010-08-25T10:05:00.001-07:00

when the gallery in Colorado pays me for the work they have sold the past several years.

More rain

2010-02-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

part of a series of cars in rain. 2x3" watercolor on Canson.

some quick studies

2010-02-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

these are quick life studies 1 - 3 minute. It's not about getting a shoulder or elbow in the right place. It's about the act of drawing. Capturing the spirit as Karl would say. Stabilo aquarellable on animation paper.

Rain

2010-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

the neighbor's stone pine in the rain. Watercolor on board prepared with molding paste. 5 x 7"

Getting paid to paint

2009-12-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

The rare occurance of traditional watercolor for a job. Copyright Warner Bros. 2009. Watercolor on paper. Still too busy with freelance to get some studio painting done.

november life drawing

2009-11-18T09:19:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks worth of quick sketches. Stabilo Aquarellable on animation paper. roughly 10x14".

Boulder Bay

2009-10-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

a small study for a larger painting. Boulder Bay up in Big Bear.
watercolor and graphite. 5x12"

Things on my Table in July

2009-09-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

Things on my table in July, watercolor and mixed media on artistico fabriano,22x30"
An abstract study for the painting. Watercolor and graphite on paper, 5x5"

details of "Things on my Table in July"

mid september life drawing

2009-09-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

that model, Nicole, who is growing out her hair, did some nice poses. These are three or five minute. Stabilo Aquarellable (and water) on 16 field animation paper.

firefighter procession

2009-09-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

I think I was the last car permitted on to the 210 freeway at the Pennsylvania ramp yesterday right before the funeral procession for one of the firefighters who fought the Station Fire. Firefighters were lined on the 3 overpasses in La Crescenta. Had to draw this later from memory.

quick one minute life drawing studies

2009-09-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

After a month of not being able to get to life drawing sessions, it was great to draw Friday. These are 1 minute except for middle drawing which is 3 minute. Stabilo on animation paper.

New from Firefighter series

2009-09-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Some new watercolors from last week. Watercolor on paper, image 7x7", unfortunately had alot of close reference.

Olive tree in Italy

2009-08-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Detail of Olive Tree, watercolor
Watercolor on Fabriano, 22x30", 2009

July life drawing

2009-07-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's nice to hold a real pencil. Stabilo on animation paper, about 10x15".

weather sketchbook

2009-07-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

The L.A. Times has streamlined it's weather page and these great little paragraphs will no longer be printed. This is the last one. I didn't know of that when I painted the dying oleander blossoms. The blossoms are almost more beautiful when they lay on the ground at the foot of the plant. What I like is the poetry of the headline. It's the headline that is gone.......

Studio shot

2009-07-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I am painting. I am working on this watercolor of olive branches. An Italy painting in progress. I'm almost finished with a freelance project for Disney Publishing and then will dive into the studio. Am working at least 2 hours every morning on this. Thanks for checking and wondering.......

Blueberries

2009-06-11T13:45:00.000-07:00

Perfect studio weather, but I'm working hard on some freelance digital painting. Hope to get some studio days soon.

Early May life drawing

2009-05-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

A couple of 3 and 5 minute drawings from recent Disney sessions. Watercolor and Stabilo on animation paper. I've been very busy on new fairy book "Golden Age of Fairies" which will be a beautiful book. Maybe I can post a mushroom, flower or something magical soon. It was great to take a break and draw with a pencil the past couple of Fridays.

April 20 cake

2009-04-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to WC-FL. watercolor/newsprint on paper.

Things

2009-04-10T11:12:00.000-07:00

Things on my table in February. watercolor on artistico fabriano, 22x30", 2009. and detail

life drawing

2009-04-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

several quick sketches from life drawing. Stabillo on animation paper. watercolor added on one. images about 10x7".

boy head

2009-04-03T09:27:00.001-07:00

4x4" gouache on paper

Weather/Newspaper/Watercolor

2009-03-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Lotus Blossom Festival cancelled again, since Lotus flowers not growing on Echo Park Lake again this year.
I love lifeguard towers pushed back toward banks for the winter. Salt Creek Beach in Orange Co.

Weather/Newspaper image

2009-02-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

Two quick paintings of Los Angeles. Freeways are horrid when wet.

Continuing previous images from newspaper

2009-02-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Again, these were taken from color xeroxs. Watercolor on paper, 3x4". From original "Images from the Newspaper" series. Of course, I changed the image quite a bit from the actual newspaper photo. These were done in 2000-2002. I exhibited 100 of these type of drawings in a show in Hollywood sometime in early 2002 I believe.

Newspaper images from previous series

2009-02-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

Some images (taken from color xeroxes) of previous newspaper image series. Originals were watercolor on paper, 3x4" 2000-2002

February weather

2009-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

watercolor on paper, 3x4". I am not gluing the newspaper clipping on the next few months of small watercolors, as I'm working out of sketchbook, and planning on using these for a show.
I had a show of 100 watercolors this size several years ago of images generated from the newspaper and have started a new series of these.
Even though it's cold and rainy (a good thing for LA winter) it is still grapefruit season which make the best margaritas.

korean chop

2009-02-06T09:40:00.000-08:00

The beautiful chop of my name in Korean and the ink pot.
Anyone with experience with this, please advise. The ink seems sticky and I don't know what that little scraper thing is for.

butternut squash

2009-02-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

I'm loving this rain after weeks of summer weather in january. MS sent me a wonderful chop from Korea where he was directing animation. It is my name in Korean, and all I can recognize is the DF. I am having trouble getting the ink the right consistency. It comes in a little pot and seems sticky. The directions are in Korean, so I'll have to get my neighbors to help me with it. I'll post a picture of the chop later.

these might be larger

2009-01-24T20:18:00.000-08:00

Some larger images of the painting below. I must not have changed my email in all the blog settings, as I wasn't getting the comments. I'm sorry if I have not responded to some comments, they must have gone to my old email. Hopefully, I will get new ones and will be able to respond. As always, thanks for visiting and leaving one. I appreciate it.

Fortnight lily

2009-01-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

The fortnight lilies are blooming after those 10 days of summer weather. This is half plant, half sidewalk/shadows...... Watercolor on Arches hot press. 22 x 45".

surf's up

2009-01-18T20:11:00.000-08:00

One of my four handsome and creative brothers (well, actually I have 6 counting the outlaws) took this picture at the beach yesterday. Sunset. surf was up.... (after posting, I have to say, the color is nothing like the brightness of the original......)

Andrew Wyeth

2009-01-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

I'm sad to hear about Andrew Wyeth dying today in his sleep, but am so glad that he existed in the first place.

wall-e book

2009-01-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

I have been busy painting a Wall-e book for Disney Publishing. (adobe photoshop). It's a christmas book for next year.
Freelancing is tough, and I am looking forward to getting back to teaching college, if anyone out there in the world, knows of anything. I'm available. Even though I'm wearing flipflops and shorts right now, and about to have lunch at La Cabanita with friends, I'll move anywhere.
Image copyright by Walt Disney Co.

places

2009-01-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving on a boat and christmas in zion, and alot of photo reference for future studio paintings.

january life drawing

2009-01-14T13:14:00.000-08:00

Three 3- 5 minute drawings of the model, Nicole, looking away.

Stabilo aquarellable on 16 Field animation paper.

Recent figure studies

2008-12-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

One and three minute studies with my great drawing group.

Detail and study

2008-12-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

a study of the larger Reniella painting to establish color. Watercolor on Arches HP. 5 x 10".
a detail of the larger Reniella painting.

Studio watercolor of Reniella

2008-12-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

Another sprig of olives, painted in Italy, and a larger studio painting of the farm where I stayed in Italy. (It's called Reniella). Watercolor on Arches HP 22 x 45". The sky is all blue, even though the waves in the dried paper show some magenta. Need to flatten the sheet, and retake photo.

More of Italy

2008-11-18T12:57:00.000-08:00

Some things from my handmade sketchbook. A quick painting of the back of the farmhouse showing the big window/doors of our kitchen and alcune patate italiane. watercolor and grocery receipt on arches 90lb. hotpress.

Yes, it's horridly smokey here

2008-11-16T15:14:00.000-08:00

The very smoky view from my studio looking at the Vergudos toward downtown LA. Too smoky to continue to paint in my studio. I'm lucky to be able to come into a tighter less smokey house. We are asked to conserve power, so no air conditioner on. Again, I'm lucky to have some very cold chardonnay in the frig.
Watercolor on arches. 2x3".

Montefollonico

2008-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

I loved walking up to the village in time to see the bells ringing at the local church which was recorded (and built previously) in the year, 1260. This is the view from the farm.

Our traveling instruments

2008-11-08T20:42:00.000-08:00

The traveling instruments on the terrace of amazing views.

Olive sprigs

2008-11-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Some olive trees on the organic farm where I stayed in Montefollonico, Italy and a page from my sketchbook. The wonderful people who own the farm saw this watercolor and wanted it for the olive oil label. So, I painted a few sprigs like this so they could pick which one they wanted.

chestnuts

2008-11-06T19:09:00.001-08:00

Chestnuts in Rome. Ottobre.
(Italy). Walking back to the farm from the village, I found these horse chestnuts which are very beautiful. I put them in my sketchbook.

espresso

2008-11-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Everyone had one of these in Boulder CO where I used to live years ago, but I forgot about them and was reintroduced to it in Italy. I brought back a portion of my espresso and hope I can find more in LA, when I run out. The fresh Italian whole milk I heated up to add was incredible, as was where I sat to drink it.

View from patio

2008-11-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Later quick sketch of the same view. Late afternoon. Am I drinking wine while painting? Don't remember. Was trying to hurry for some reason though. My friend, Lisa, did a much better painting of the same view but she DOESN'T HAVE A BLOG!! (yet).
This is an early morning view of Montepulciano from our patio. It's the far hilltop. Only an hour and a half walk away. Foreground are some of the olive trees. I'm standing on the patio taking the shot while my espresso is percolating.

Montefollonico, Italy

2008-10-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

A picture of the farmhouse where I stayed/worked near Montepulciano in Italy. Next week, I hope to be able to show more pictures, write about some fantastic adventures and show some paintings from my journal/sketchbook. This week, I have to hit the ground running with alot of freelance work for Disney.
That is Montepulciano in the left distance hill. This photo doesn't show how steep the road from the farmhouse to the village of Montefollonico is, which enabled me to eat and drink as much as I wanted as I certainly burned the calories.

High fire danger

2008-10-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

I painted this a few weeks ago, before I was slammed with freelance work. I'm unable to post a weather entry, but the heading reads "high fire danger" which is obvious. This watercolor is not near as big a fire as the one currently happening near me. The 210 freeway out back is still shutdown. Watercolor on Arches.
Image 7x7".

Yoko Ono's Wish Trees

2008-10-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

A shot of Yoko Ono's Wish Tree installation in Pasadena and some of my favorite wishes I found already tied on trees. The last one is a found wish for wc-fl. This art installation is very cool and very yoko. 21 Crepe myrtle trees.

dying magnolia

2008-10-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

dying magnolia for Mr. Newman, watercolor on canson CP, image 8x12".

Last of the summer corn

2008-09-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Watercolor on Arches. Image 9x18".

Blueberries

2008-09-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Watercolor on Strathmore Plate Bristol. Image 6x9". The last of the blueberries.
Blueberries for Fairy book. Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. Copyright Walt Disney Co.

Studio cam

2008-09-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Working table shot of a plate of blueberries. Yes, I really am this messy, but I know where everything is. I would rather be working on a larger painting, but am in the midst of freelance work, where I'm actually painting some blueberries for fairies.

Weather sketchbook

2008-09-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

A disturbing stuffed steer that I followed down the 5 to Laguna Beach.

September weather

2008-09-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

A great time to visit socal.

Reference for upcoming painting

2008-09-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is the middle photo for reference from a new painting that I'm about to start working on. (Laguna Beach). Like the Topango Festival watercolor, I am working on a series of pan paintings. I don't know if I want them large or very small at this point. The Topango painting is 45" wide, the size of my watercolor roll. I would either like to make this one 5ft. wide which would be impossible to frame, or even as small as 10" wide. Thoughts on this welcomed.

New sketchbooks

2008-08-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm making some new watercolor sketchbooks from older fiction books, which kills me to cut up, but I do it for "art". I'm trying to get the perfect sketchbook ready for an upcoming trip to Italy, where I am going in October to harvest olives. These are filled with 90lb. arches and strathmore watercolor paper. An assortment of both hot and cold press. I used a nice glassine packet from Philippe's as an end page, to protect the watercolor paper, and state where the book was made (Los Angeles).
I really can't decide whether to bring a larger sketchbook, or very small. Sometimes, I would rather not paint at all, then use dried up pan colors, and small brushes, but I am going to pack very lightly, as I have to bring work gloves, etc., my mandolin.......

Birthday cake

2008-08-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

As always, copyright d.farnsworth.
I know alot of virgos. Happy birthday to all of you!
Watercolor on Arches cold press.

awesome august

2008-08-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

yes, 'tis.

Postcard for Brewery

2008-08-16T10:02:00.001-07:00

This is a postcard being sent to the I-5 Gallery fundraiser down at the Brewery. There should be alot of great little pieces of art available there - all for $100/each....

Mid august life drawing

2008-08-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hey, where was everybody? Nicole was the model. I know these are all with no face, but they are the best of the lot. Room was too cold for model, so this last one is "Nicole putting on pink shirt"
Stabilo and watercolor on animation paper. image size 10" height.

Weather report

2008-08-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

I can't stay away from doing these silly weather journals. I would love to have the job of coming up with these weather headlines for the LA Times. They are poetry to me, and I recently found an old favorite sketchbook to fill up, while cleaning out my studio. These Aquabee "super deluxe" spiral bound sketchbooks are great. I order the 9x9" ones from Cheap Joes Art Supply.

moleskine in colorado

2008-08-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

I took only my very small moleskine to Colorado and painted a couple of mts. Watercolor in very small moleskine.

Hawk

2008-08-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

A hawk going after a fairy. Adobe photoshop and Corel Painter.Copyright Walt Disney Co.

Liriope Muscari

2008-08-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is a Liriope Muscari. Watercolor on Strathmore Plate Bristol. The paint just floats on top of the paper, and doesn't take alot of layers, which is why I love it. I keeps a watercolor loose. 30x22". And to answer a kind person's question, yes, everything on this blog is for sale. After posting, I noticed that it looks pale on my monitor. Hope it isn't too washed out on yours.

Oleander watercolor

2008-07-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

Studio shot of a work in progress.

July figure drawing at Disney

2008-07-19T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of drawings. the first is a quick one, and shows how I usually start out, for those who asked. The others are 2 minute, then there's a 5 minute at the end. All stabillo on animation paper which is very smooth. What a great model!

Digital painting

2008-07-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

copyright Walt Disney Co.
This is a page from upcoming fairy book called "hide and seek" where one can read the fascinating tale of Tinkerbell's game of hide and seek with other fairies. I've been working hard on this lately, and now I'm off to Colorado.
Digital painting with adobe photoshop and corel painter.

My parent's barn

2008-07-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

This is an old watercolor. I had to shoot this photo through glass and you can see reflections. I never took a proper photo of it. Watercolor on strathmore. 22x32". early 2000's. It's my family's barn when they lived briefly in Michigan. Which is a great place. Especially if you have a waterski boat and are in love.

Iris

2008-07-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

Oil on canvas, 40x20", Grisaille technique. From the collection of T.& J. Jennings.

Late june figures

2008-07-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

Two energetic women. Stabillo on animation paper.

detail of pinecone

2008-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Digital Pinecone

2008-06-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

I'm lucky to have a ton of freelance work right now. This is painted with both Photoshop and Painter. copyright Walt Disney Co. After posting, I realize I should have made this larger... next one will show detail.

Zion watercolor

2008-06-20T17:27:00.000-07:00

Looking toward Rockville from Springdale near Zion National Park, Utah. Watercolor on paper, 20x45". The light made the colors in every part of the view intense. There was no atmospheric perspective. The approaching storm defined every leaf.

may 30 life drawing

2008-05-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

These are 1-3 minute poses. Stabillo and watercolor on animation paper. Granted, the only one that looks like the model, is the first one. Although I like the solidness of the others.

Boy with wet hair

2008-05-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

a painting that I have been working on for a while. Oil on canvas, "Boy with wet hair", 32x42"

Friday's model

2008-05-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Life drawing on friday. These are 3 minute, maybe a couple of 5 minute. I included some that I like for the light that his arm cast. Seeing all these, I see that the model repeated the same arm position, but he is a good model. Stabilo on 16 field animation paper.

My palette

2008-05-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. I definately will be doing more smaller watercolors, but instead of filling sketchbooks, I want to devote my time to larger watercolors that have some meaning (if only to me). I still have four pages left in weather journal, and am trying to be motivated to finish that. Jana, here is my palette. It's a cheap plastic one about 12x10". I do not squeeze out a standard palette each time (I don't know what that is). I just squeeze out paint as I need it. I do not rinse away old paint unless it's really dusty and crumbly, or if I need that space for a new color. ( I'm basically messy and/or lazy). I always keep my colors in these places, since I am very used to them that way. When I'm working on a large piece, I will mix some color up in one of those small containers that you put salsa or radishes in at Mexican take out restaurants.

Late april weather

2008-04-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

I have four pages left in this sketchbook (Hand Book Journal). I'll probably not start another weather journal.

Drawing

2008-04-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Three minute studies. Stabilo on animation paper.
Like I've said before, muscular men are difficult for me to draw. Where was everybody? Only a couple of us showed up to draw.

late march weather

2008-04-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Watercolor and stabilo in Hand Book Journal 5x7".

Some weather pages

2008-03-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

I really don't have time for the weather journal lately, so Secret Agent, M. Smith, drew himself napping on my sofa, March 15.
A quick sketch on a road trip.
The destination. Zion National Park, Utah

a few weeks worth of life drawing

2008-03-12T13:12:00.001-07:00

These two images are from several weeks ago. A very muscular model whom I find difficult to draw. (Not his fault, he's a great model, I just have difficulty getting buffness on paper)

These are the most recent drawings of Richard, one of my favorite models who is tall and lanky and can really twist.

some march weather

2008-03-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have some life drawing to load up, it seems whenever I try to download some images, blogger isn't working. This is a test.

Woman with towel

2008-03-02T21:01:00.000-08:00

Watercolor and Stabilo on 12 field animation paper.
I know it doesn't look like Lynn.... These are 2, 3 or maybe 5 minute gestures.

Milford Zornes

2008-03-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

Milford Zornes, "Laguna Shoreline," watercolor, 1957; from the collection of Andreas and Mike Kypriandes. I'm sorry to read, this am. in the Los Angeles Times, that Mr. Zornes died. I was able to see a great watercolor exhibition of his last year in Pasadena.

More blueberries

2008-02-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

Watercolor on Strathmore 5x5".

Mid february weather

2008-02-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

I read that the waves were 20-25 feet.
Bird that was on the cherry plum tree this morning. The color saturation seemed to post lighter on blogger with this entry.

Foxglove and Tink

2008-02-24T11:12:00.000-08:00

Two photoshop paintings from a Disney Fairy book. I don't know what the title of this one is going to be, but I painted all the pages and believe I'll get a book credit. Copyright The Walt Disney Co.

spring weather paintings

2008-02-13T16:27:00.000-08:00

Watercolor and gouache in Hand Book Journal

Springtime

2008-02-12T16:05:00.001-08:00

Some spring/summer weather entries coming soon.

Early February Weather

2008-02-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

Snow on the San Gabriels out front of my house.
A collage of an eggplant from my latest drive on pass. The Jim Henson Co. is on the original Charlie Chaplin lot in Hollywood, and the coolest studio I've seen.
Ruby red grapefruits are in season and make great margaritas. There are some amazingly sweet ones at Trader Joes.

Drawing at Disney

2008-02-03T12:00:00.001-08:00

My favorite of these is the third one which I titled "Nicole cold" since the heater wasn't working and our model was freezing.
Stabilo and watercolor on animation paper.

painting with pixels

2008-01-22T19:29:00.001-08:00

yes, I'm painting every day 10-15 hours. although it's with pixels and it's fairy stuff.
Here's some chestnuts to let CERTAIN PEOPLE know that I'm painting........ unfinished