Another fun weekend of art with Denver Illustration Salon and friends!

Red Rocks - 09/13/14
I apologize for the low quality pic - my scanner is not working. :(
Gouache with Pilot Hi-Tec C and Pentel Aquash brush pen
on Aquabee Heavyweight Drawing Paper sketchbook, 6x12"

This has been another adventurous, fun- and art-filled weekend!
I started Saturday by joining the DIS Plein Aire Group on an excursion to beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO.
As always, there were way more phenomenal scenes than one human being can paint. The hardest part was choosing which view to paint.
After a week of rain and overcast, we had a beautiful day of weather. It was warm, but not too hot. The other members of the group found a spot on top of a big flat rock that had an epic panorama. Since I had baked like a potato the last few times we went out, I picked a spot just off the path in the shade.
And it was a good thing for me. Toward the end of the day, the park ranger came up to chase some climbers out of one of the restricted areas, and gave a warning and to our group for being up on the rock. There was a spirited discussion about the absurdity of it all, which ended with a citation.
I roll with a rough crew. ;)
We are thinking of calling ourselves the Pigment Outlaws. (Hey, our battle cry can be "Pig-Out!" LOL)

Saturday evening, I joined the DIS Drink & Draw for a terrific Costumed Life Drawing session with two awesome models. As luck would have it, during each pose, someone was blocking my view of one or the other model, so I just drew the one I could see. That was a good thing, because both of the models were terrific - and it alleviated the need to decide which one to draw.
I saw many regulars and met several new people. We drew, talked about art, pens, brushes, and breaking the law. 
My friend Michael accepted my invitation to attend, so the whole evening was friends, art, costumes, and fun.
Today is being spent in the studio, chilling and watching the Watts Atelier Friday Night Workshop video, featuring Robert Watts doing a gouache demonstration - a painting of Keith Richards as Captain Teague from Pirates of the Caribbean.
Now, that's my kind of weekend!

DIS Plein Aire Group (Pigment Outlaws) excursion to Red Rocks:

Red Rocks - the view from my spot in the shade.

It looks better if you step back.
Unfortunately, optimum viewing distance
puts you off the edge of a cliff. ;)

DIS Drink & Draw Costumed Life Drawing
Upstairs - Billy's Gourment Hot Dogs, 600 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

DIS Drink & Draw Costumed Life Drawing
Warm up sketches (2 min.)
I'm having fun using different colors of pens with the water brush.
Pilot Hi-Tec C pens and Pentel Aquash brush pen
on Art Alternatives 110lb. sketchbook paper, 8 1/2 x 11"

DIS Drink & Draw Costumed Life Drawing
Warm-up sketches to medium poses (2-20 min.)
The red sketch just might be my favorite one of the evening.
Pilot Hi-Tec C pens and Pentel Aquash brush pen
on Art Alternatives 110lb. sketchbook paper, 8 1/2 x 11"

DIS Drink & Draw Costumed Life Drawing
Long poses (20-30 min.)
Pilot Hi-Tec C pens and Pentel Aquash brush pen
on Art Alternatives 110lb. sketchbook paper, 8 1/2 x 11"

DIS Drink & Draw Costumed Life Drawing
Final long pose (just under 30 min.)
Pilot Hi-Tec C pens and Pentel Aquash brush penon Aquabee Heavyweight Drawing Paper sketchbook, 9 x 12"

Watts Atelier Friday Night Workshop - Sept. 12, 2014

And now, to sit back, relax with a cup of hot cocoa, and watch the Watts Atelier Friday Night Workshop featuring Robert Watts, as he works on a gouache painting of Keef as Captain Teague. How much cooler can this weekend get?