Stoking The Embers

Three Cheers

2012-02-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

"Three Cheers" Oil On Canvas 24" x 22"

New Paintings

2012-02-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy making paintings for my upcoming show in June at The La Luz De Jesus. Hers a new one. I haven't titled it yet.

Oil On Canvas 18" x 21"

I'll put more paintings here real soon.

The Beast

2011-12-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

The Beast Oil On Canvas 50" x 32"

The Beast As Dexter Oil On Canvas 50" x 32"

Wormwood Oil On Canvas 42" x 22 " from episode 10

The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse

2011-12-08T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is my least favorite painting along with Wormwood. I liked it a lot better before I had to paint the alpha omega symbols and the colored bones on the horses. Soon after this I started to use digital painting on top of the digital reproductions of my paintings so I didn't alter my original oil. Unfortunately I didn't do this here. I might in the future repaint the horses and possibly change the expressionistic figures in the foreground to a more representational treatment.

Oil On Canvas 42 x 21

Seven Snakes Season 6 Dexter Episode 10

2011-12-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

I will upload more soon when I get some time. Im busy making new pictures!

Oil on Canvas 42" x18"

The Seven Bowls Of Wrath, Dexter - Episode 9

2011-11-28T23:01:00.000-08:00

Seven Bowls 42" x 22" Oil On Canvas

Seven Bowls 42" x 22" Digital and Oil On Canvas

Whore Of Babylon Dexter Season 6 episodes 6 and 8

2011-11-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

Whore Of Babylon oil on canvas 42" x 20"

Here's my original oil before I added the writing and blood on the woman's forehead and the jewelry on arms digitally. The version with the digitally added accessories is below.

I also painted an oil portrait of the actress Molly Parker who plays Travis's sister and replaced the head with the new portrait. This is below.

Angel Of Death Dexter Season 6 Episode 5

2011-10-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a painting I was commissioned to do for season 6 of the Showtime series Dexter.
I did six more paintings and as they are revealed on the show, Ill post them here.

The first image here, which is the one used in the program has blood splatters on the wings added by me digitally in photoshop.
The art department used my digital photo of the painting I sent to them . It was then reproduced at seven feet on canvas by a large ink jet printer for placement in the set.

Angel Of Death Oil On Canvas and Digital Blood Splatters 50" x 26"

The second image is my painting in oil as it exists today. I also have uploaded a few sketches i showed to the production designer , preliminary drawings and color sketches as well as under paintings. I used the fantastic Sara Streeter as a model for this picture.

Angel Of Death Oil On Canvas 50" x 26"

Here are two stages of my under painting. I had shot reference of Sara nude as well as clothed in a sun dress as requested. Then the producers changed their minds after I got started and wanted the model in a wrap around cloth or toga like clothing. I shot my wife's cousin in this kind of getup for the clothing reference and started with sara nude so I could get the pose correct first. I prefer the nude the best.

Under painting 01

Under painting 02

color sketches

pencil sketch

comp idea

Magic Tea party- Final Oil

2011-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Magic Tea Party 60" x 36" Oil On Canvas

Update: Magic Tea Party commission

2011-07-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Under painting on canvas. 60" x 36"

I haven't posted in awhile. As I mentioned last time I've been working hard on a commission that I had to keep secret. This is the commission , "The Magic Tea Party" still not complete yet. It was a surprise anniversary gift for a friend here in Los Angeles commissioned by his wife. The couple finally had their anniversary this past Friday so I can now post some pictures of its progress. I have been interrupted in completing this picture by a commercial illustration job that I've also been working on simultaneously. This other illustration job will also have to remain a secret for a month or two more, but it is for a really popular TV show.

The central portion of The Magic Tea Party is a double portrait of my clients two children. They are surrounded by magical fairy tale animals and personal family pets, a dog and a cat. Also depicted are the kids "lovies", their cherished stuffed animals.

I have been using the Norman Rockwell method for preparing all my storytelling paintings. First I create idea sketches, when those are approved I hire or find my models and props and create the charcoal sketch.

Then I create a couple of color sketches and finally I transfer the charcoal sketch to the canvas and make an under painting. Here I used Mars Violet. But I have been experimenting with other colors as well.

I also painted a small landscape study from life in Plein-Air for reference to use in painting the background of my scene.

Now to make matters a little more complex. Once the husband saw the picture on Friday he had some changes he wanted introduced. Till this point I had only worked with his wife's input.

I hate to change things at this stage but it is their painting.

He felt the Mad Hatter character being anonymous to them ( he was a professional model I hired), and not personal like all the other animals, pets and stuffed animals, should be changed to a mythic or fairy tale creature. So we decided an alligator headed Mad Hatter would be more appropriate!

I have made these changes and suffice it to say I like the picture a whole lot better, though it is making my finish of the painting a little slower. As soon as I make more progress in the final painting I'll post an update.

Charcoal drawing

Plein-air landscape study.

color sketch

Idea sketches

Evolution Of "The Ripper"

2011-04-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while. Ive been busy working on a big commission that I have to keep secret for now. I have also been doing lots off smaller satellite works . Here's one of them and a few illustrated steps showing how I got to the end result . Its called "The Ripper".

Here's the final painting. I decided to use very limited color.

Below are the steps I took to get to this final result.

1. I work in monochrome. Decide to wipe this attempt off and start over.

2. working with just raw umber and a quick dry gaylkyd white.

I am not satisfied with the hand and coat.

2. I try to interject a knife into the picture, putting it in the man's hand. I like the mystery in the shadow under the hat but not the shape the knife and coat make.

3. Here I add some strange and sinister medical instruments to the coat. I like it better but I lost some mystery in the shadow under the hat. Finally I work into the whole picture with color and you see the result in the first image I posted.

Portrait study from life

2011-03-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

A study from a live model. Painted alla prima from life in 4 hours approximately.

Problem Solved or The Divorce

2011-03-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a new painting. Oil On Canvas 38" x 38"

Charcoal Preliminary For New Painting

2011-03-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

I am almost finished with this painting. It is an oil on canvas 38" x 38".
But I don't want to publish the actual painting till its finally complete. So here is a small preview in the guise of my charcoal preliminary, color studies, charcoal transfer to canvas and monochrome under painting.
Its tentatively titled "Problem Solved".
I'll post the completed picture in a day or so, as soon as I'm happy with it.

charcoal on vellum

under painting- raw umber, black , Alkyd fast drying white.

color sketch (one of the three I made)

before the under painting with a few other studies.

Everything But the Kitschen Sync Annual Group Show Volume 14

2011-03-04T10:00:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in a juried group show Everything But the Kitsch 'N Sync at the La Luz de Jesus Gallery, opening tonight here in Los Angeles.

My painting Skull with Hat and Roses is on exhibit and for sale at the show.

I went to a preview last night and there are a lot of really wonderful pictures there. As well as some really wildly weird ones. Gallery direction , hours and contact info are below. Its a huge show, 225 pieces in all. Please check it out if you live in the area!

Skull With Hat And Roses Oil On Canvas

Everything But the Kitsch 'N Sync

La Luz de Jesus Gallery

March 4-28, 2011

Everything But the Kitschen Sync

The Science Of Lust ---Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T10:53:00.000-08:00

Because I did some illustration work at one time for an outfit called the Incubator, (the show I worked on is called Strange Rituals) I was asked to be an "Art Expert" for "The Science Of Lust" that ran for the first time last night on the Discovery channel.
Here's an excerpt from the show with me in there towards the end judging some naive artists drawings after they have been in contact with a "muse". Its a very short clip.
Happy Valentines Day!!

Midnight Chivalry - Final Painting

2011-02-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

Midnight Chivalry Oil On Canvas 44" x 35"

Alley Way - Three diffrent color sketch's 16" x 20"

2011-02-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. I am almost finished with the large painting that these sketches are preliminaries for. These color sketch's are 16" x 20". As soon as I finish the 44 x 35 inch painting (which should be today or tomorrow) I'll post it here.

The top scheme is the one I decided to go with.

Alley Way- Roughs and preliminary charcoal

2011-01-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a new painting I'm working on. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see two rough idea sketch's for this. I originally thought this might take place in a deserted circus or carnival setting. I also imagined the man just standing there looking at the "lady of the night". When I finally shot pictures of my models and began working there was no synergy between the two figures. Luckily the model who posed for my male figure lives next door to me. I had him over and re shot him in various poses bowing and introducing himself to the woman. I think it made the picture a lot more interesting. I hope to paint this one a bit looser and more spirited than of late. Also need to find some alley way debris to include in the composition, such as trash cans and old tires , trash, bottles, stuff like that.

Charcoal On Vellum

Rough idea sketch

New Painting - Flirtation

2011-01-01T23:26:00.000-08:00

I finished this little painting on New Years Eve. I hope the subject matter is not too much of a downer or too morose for the New Year.

I'm not totally happy with it but there are things I like about it as well, so I share it with you all. I wanted to be more painterly but the small size prohibited me from loosening up some how. Better luck next time I hope. I did this painting in the hope that it might get into a juried show competition I just entered here in town and there is a size limitation. Below the finished oil is my charcoal comprehensive and two small oil sketches.

The head is about one inch tall and that was really hard for me to paint it well at that size. I need to buy some smaller sables for sure!

Happy New Year everyone!

"Flirtation" oil on canvas 24" x 20"

Charcoal Comprehensive 24" x 20"

color sketch

Bad Girl

2010-12-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

Here's my newest completed painting .

Bad Girl Oil On Canvas 33" x 33"

Seven Portrait studies

2010-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's seven portrait studies I did in Ignat Ignatov's alla prima portrait painting class.
Each portrait was painted in 5 hours in one session with small breaks for the model of course and one half hour for lunch.
The lighting in the rooms at the Los Angeles Academy Of Figurative Art is from skylights and Ignat also supplemented this light with artificial light sources sometimes coming from other directions. These lighting problems were somewhat advanced so it would be a good idea that you have some solid drawing skills before taking his class.
I really enjoyed working with Ignat. He suggested we start by drawing or painting a monochrome sketch of the big masses and value relationships before putting the color in. I found it a refreshing educational shot in the arm and I learned a lot. Ignat would make suggestions occasionally and they were always right on. He never worked on my pictures directly but would point out where I miscalculated a value or color or where I had a drawing error.
If your ever in Southern California and would like to take an informative workshop with plenty of demos as well, I highly recommend Ignats workshop at the Los Angeles Academy Of Figurative Art.

Brush trick

2010-12-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a little trick I've seen Ignat Ignatov and Jeremy Lipking do to their brushes.
You can fix a brush that's become somewhat uneven in the bristles. Place this uneven bristled brush in between cardboard and clip it overnight or for 24 hours. The brush will then have that razor sharp edge again that it once had when it was new.
Ignat places his brushes in between the cardboard when they are dry, but I suppose they could be wet as well.
It really helps when painting to have a very flat brush when trying to make an accurate stroke.

The Fantastic Paintings Of Ignat Ignatov

2010-12-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

I wanted to let others know if you haven't seen them already, about the work of a painter called Ignat Ignatov.

http://www.ignatovart.com/

Purple Scarf 18" x 14" by Ignat Ignatov

He is a very accomplished artist and paints not only figure pieces but landscape and still life. I am currently talking a portrait class from him and I am enjoying it greatly.
He is a very humble, calm personality and is very giving in his teaching. Even though I have been painting for a number of years I really needed a shot in the arm concerning my technique and its been a revelation to work with him and receive his concise critiques about working from the live model.
Please go to his wonderful website to see more of his paintings and to join his mailing list.

Man From Another Time 22" x 18" by Ignat Ignatov

new preliminary charcoal - Bad Girl

2010-12-06T15:10:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while. I had some problems with my last painting about death and the devil. I'm gonna completely change the male figure and replace it for a female figure. So while I wait for that new model to arrive that will allow me to make those changes, here's a little preview of what I'm working on right now.

1st drawing

final drawing with a few changes.

I'm making a color sketch right now and I'll be stretching a canvas up in a few minutes. I'll be painting this at 25" x 24 ".

Dave Lebows paintings featured on Artodyssey

2010-11-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

Please check out the really interesting blog Artodyssey.

They recently featured my work on the site and I am really flattered and honored to be included.

http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/search/label/Dave%20Lebow

I have found out about many really incredible and interesting artists from this blog. And there is streaming Jazz music on the site too!

http://artodyssey1.blogspot.com/search/label/Dave%20Lebow

Exhibition News

2010-11-07T09:41:00.000-08:00

Dave Lebow's painting "Satan's Shadow"
included in the AAPL 82nd Grand National Exhibition

The Exhibition is at the Salamugundi Club

47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003

November 2nd through November 12 , 2010
Daily from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Reception, Sunday, November 7th , 2010
2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

http://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=c71c787d267ed1180cabf92b9&id=5c8db0b6f8

Devil and Death - final charcoal and color sketches

2010-11-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Heres my final composition.

Heres the sketch I'm going to use for color.

Heres an idea for color I'm not using.

An iPhone Artist Haunts the Subways

2010-10-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/an-iphone-artist-haunts-the-subways/ys/

An iPhone Artist Haunts the Subways

By By EMILY B. HAGER

Published: October 22, 2010

Eric Molinsky is an artist who secretly draws fellow subway riders on his iPhone, and has collected scores of New York characters on his blog

Paolo Ventura

2010-10-14T17:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some the beautiful photographs by the artist Paolo Ventura.

I came across his work today and absolutely fell in love with his pictures. He works in a similar way to many illustrators and painters. That is, he sketches his ideas out first in drawings and watercolors. From there he then gets his models and sets, but his models are not real people. They are instead small dolls and action figures and his backgrounds and sets are constructed miniatures which some people might call maquettes but pushed to more of a finish.

He also tells a very personal story which I really like as well. The mood he creates is quite extraordinary and moving. If a painter could get this kind of emotion and story telling in their work it would be something. I see this kind of thing I'm talking about in many great illustrations of the golden age and sometimes in illustrators and artists of the present time, but not always. I think it is maybe the most important thing, more important than just technique which should just be a given.

I tip my hat to Paolo Ventura! He is incredible!

Paolo Ventura on Winter Stories from Aperture Foundation on Vimeo.

some more links to Paolo Ventura's work:

http://www.paoloventura.com/index.html

http://www.thefstopmag.com/?p=68

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paolo-Ventura/162384823000

This weeks NY times Book Review Cover Art

New Painting: Magic Show

2010-10-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Magic Show

Oil On Canvas 40" X 38"

Rockwell on Rockwell: How I Make A Picture

2010-10-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you all about a book that I love. It's by one of my long time heros Norman Rockwell. Now you might after seeing my weird pictures think, why would I like Rockwell's stuff with all its homespun Americana and old fashioned subject matter?
Well Rockwell really could tell a story and he could really paint well. I mean really well!
I love his pictures and I really have learned so much from his book which I have owned since I've been in High School.

I use his method for creating a story telling picture with some changes here and there in technique and subject matter obviously since I am a completley diffrent artist.

The first thing he says in thebeginning on page 17 is ; "After you have learned how I make pictures, I hope that you will not try to make Rockwell pictures too. That would be a mistake. Each artist must find a method of working which best expresses his own individuality."

Heres the key steps that Rockwell used to creat a storytelling picture:

Step 1 - Getting the idea

Step 2 - getting the models Step 3- getting the props

Step 4 - getting the pose Step 5 - making the preliminary sketch

Step 6 - making the color sketch

Step 7. The finished painting

Heres some links to this book and some others on the same subject of creating storytelling pictures that I find equally interesting and usefull.

Rockwell on Rockwell: How I Make A Picture

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist

Forty illustrators and how they work

Magic Show

2010-09-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Charcoal 36" x 39""

color sketch

starting the painting.

Well , here I go again, another weird picture. Hoping to finish this in a week or so. I teach tomorrow so I wont be able to work again on this till Wednesday.

Devil and Death

2010-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

New picture idea I'm working on.

Sketch in oil

Charcoal comprehensive in progress

Robot Invasion 41" x 34" oil on canvas

2010-08-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a painting I created a few months ago. It is a commissioned piece for artist and animator Tanya Haden. She wanted this painting of herself and her husband as a surprise birthday present. I had to keep it a surprise till he received the gift. Well today 8/28/2010 is her husbands birthday and I know he finally saw it this morning. He is a well known actor, comedian and musician. See if you can guess who he is.

To get the likeness of Tanya's husband while keeping it a secret was a bit of a puzzle. We decided to use a publicity shot of the actor/husband and try to imitate the light in the publicity shot with all the rest of the photos of Tanya. My good friend and accomplished artist Walt Morton stood in as the husband character so I would have a body in a suit, holding a gun as reference too.

Besides all the reference photos of Tanya and the Husband (Walt) stand in, plein air study paintings of cityscape's and reference of destroyed buildings I created a robot maquette so I could make the three robots look somewhat convincing.

Two of the many little thumbnail sketches I did to try and explore the picture idea.

Below are some of my charcoal comprehensives where I was struggling to get a good design and composition going.

Below, the painting surrounded by reference photos,, color sketches and gouache study behind on wall.

Sight-Size in still life

2010-08-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a new still life I am working on in the studio. I'm working as close to sight-size as I can.

This means I place my canvas as close to the model or in this case still life as possible. I can then visually compare my subject, the still life and my painting pretty much in one glance. They are both in the same light as well. I can then try and optically get the feeling and size of my shapes as accurate in color, value and drawing as possible. When I work this way from life I usually don't use any preparatory drawing, as all the compositional work is done in the setting up phase of the still life. This working from the center of interest out without a drawing is a method I have adopted from Richard Schmid who I studied with briefly at a workshop in Bartellsville Oklahoma in 1989.

I learned this sight-size method when I was a student of Paul Inbretson at the Fenway studios in Boston in the late 70's through early 80's. At that time Paul was studying with R. H. Ives Gammel and my girlfriend at that time Lorraine Lans and I had the fortune to rent a studio at the Fenway Studios and study with Paul and some of the other Gammel students at that time. More about this later.

If you'd like more information about this method, there's a great web site called Sight-Size.com.

California Open Exhibition

2010-08-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

Dave Lebow showing in TAG Gallery Group Exhibit

Please join us Saturday August 21 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at the TAG Gallery where Dave will be exhibiting his painting "Mad Love" , which was accepted into the California Open Exhibition, a group show .
The Juror for this show is Karen Moss, Deputy Director of Exhibitions and Programs for the Orange County Museum of Art.

TAG Gallery | 2525 Michigan Ave., #D3 | Santa Monica, CA 90404
Click here for TAG web page.

Quick oil sketch. 9"x12"

2010-08-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

GeoTagged, [N22.22357, E159.46729]

Towards The Na Pali Coast

2010-08-03T15:05:00.001-07:00

Looking Towards The Na Pali Coast
Oil on Canvas 9" x 12"

Aycil

2010-07-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

oil on canvas - painted from life in 3 hours

Paper Dice

2010-07-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Paper Dice 10"x 12" oil on canvas

Loosley painted Still Life Experiment

2010-07-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

24 x 30 oil on canvas

Quick monochrome self portrait with Renaissance hat.

2010-07-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Quick monochrome self portrait with Renaissance hat.

Nun On A Box

2010-06-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

New Still Life

2010-06-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Matadore Beach

2010-06-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

I attended a workshop a few days ago with Ignat Ignatov on Matadore beach near Malibu.
It was real fun and I got some good advice and critique from Ignatov who is a really good painter and a real nice guy.
My friend Walt Morton was also there.
Here's two sketches that I did out on the beach that afternoon.

Here's some photos as well.

Walt Morton and Ignatz.

Here I am painting in foreground with Ignatz in background.

More LandScape

2010-06-21T13:51:00.001-07:00

I painted a quick sketch of Castle peak today In the Copper Basin in the Challis National Forest where I've been on vacation with my family

Toy Robot with Bone Club

2010-06-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

A little sketch of a toy, painted alla prima. Oil On canvas.

Woman and Snake

2010-06-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

Here's the finished painting. 30"x37" oil on canvas

Idea and color sketches

2010-06-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a few rough idea sketches from my imagination which I created while I was trying to figure out this painting I'm working on now. There were many more of them, but I posted these few.
Here's some color sketches as well, done after I completed the charcoal "cartoon".

Woman with Snake Maquettes

2010-06-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Here's two maquettes made in sculpey to help me visualize the scene in the new Snake painting I posted yesterday.

I owe a big dept to James Gurney's book Imaginative Realism.

If you haven't got a copy, pick it up pronto, its a goldmine of information for any artist working imaginatively.

Woman with Snake

2010-06-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

Heres the charcoal "cartoon" for a new painting I've been working on.
I am painting it now and some areas of it have changed a little, but in general this is the composition.

Drawings Of Sara Streeter in Steampunk costume

2010-05-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

Sara Streeter drawn at the Kline Academy.

Gouache , charcoal, ink.

Quick color sketches from the figure

2010-05-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

Larva, painted in Lubner Sketch Group. Gouache

Aycil - Painted in my figure class at Cal Arts. Gouache

Satan's Shadow - A new still - life

2010-05-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

I painted this a month ago or so from life.

Robot maquette

2010-05-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not posting for awhile.
I've been busy working on a portrait commission. I can't show the painting even though its almost complete, as its a birthday surprise. So it will have to remain a mystery for a few more months. But I will show you some of the reference material I made so i could paint the robots in the picture convincingly.
Here's the maquette made out of Sculpey, wood, cardboard and some found objects like my wife's old alarm clock.

Mandy - oil sketch 4 hours

2010-03-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

I created this last night in my painting group. Oil on canvas, the head is about 4 to 5 inches high.

Portrait Of Bailey

2010-02-24T12:31:00.000-08:00

Portrait painted from life last night in 3 hours.

Life Drawings

2010-02-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a selection of drawings from various sketch groups I attend and one that I teach at Cal Arts.

All these drawings were done in either January or February of this year.

Love Affair-- change to painting

2010-02-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

Well, its good to have a friend who is totally honest. Thank g-d for my buddy Walt Morton (also a talented artist and writer) who tells me the truth and who has some amazing things to say. So after his feedback and some soul searching I repainted the head once more.. there possibly will still be some minor fixes to the head. For the most part I think its almost finished now.

Its now called "The Love Affair" just in time for valentines day!

I have also been taking a once a week 3 hour workshop with an incredible painter named Jeremy Lipking . If you haven't ever seen his work please go to his web site. I am lucky to be living in Los Angeles where he lives even though its a bit of a trek to his studio.
I haven't put any of my studies from Jeremy's class up here because they are pretty "doggy" but, heres a little study of Kelly's head I did this afternoon from photographic reference.

I'm trying to keep my lights all together and subordinate the light halftones to this mass.

Same in the shadows, trying to subordinate any lighter reflected lights in the shadow. I think its helping!

I like it better than the head in my final painting. That head is only one inch high so it is a bit of a bitch to paint that small for me.

Brain Transfer

2010-02-04T21:46:00.000-08:00

This is really almost complete. Maybe a few touches here or there.. we will see.

The model I used for this painting and the one before this is Kelly Devoto.

And I owe a debt to Walt Morton on this as he put me in contact with Kelly and helped direct this pose.

The idea to put her in a Brain transfer chamber was mine.

Painting in progress

2010-01-31T17:46:00.001-08:00

You can see my new picture and some reference scattered about. I'll post more soon. I'm trying to get it finished in the next day or so.

Mind Control - Preliminary Charcoal almost complete

2010-01-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Preliminary Charcoal . Actually the media here is charcoal , carbon pencil, white & black gouache on Vellum.

1. 2.

Heres a couple of the stages this drawing went through.

Mad Scientist- Rough Comp sketch

2010-01-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

Heres a rough thumbnail idea sketch for my new painting. Its about a "Mad Scientist" and his "Victim". I'll post the preliminary charcoal drawing after it is in progress or done.

Final touches on Eyeball picture

2010-01-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

Eyeball finished

2010-01-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

Ok final version(so far) whew this is finally just about complete. I repainted the entire left side of the picture including the eyeball monster after I got the models back for a new session to see them in light coming from the left side of the picture. I think it makes a big difference. I repainted the central woman's head twice and the guy with the gun's head 3 times as the second time I painted it too large for his body(whoops). And of course the figures on the right were mostly repainted as well.

Ivy & Buchanan

2009-12-29T14:34:00.001-08:00

Quick little pen sketch from life in San Francisco.

Repainting

2009-12-24T07:46:00.001-08:00

I deleted my last couple posts for this picture. I decided to repaint the entire left side.
My light source over there just wasn't correct. I was trying to get this effect of light coming from the top right but it never looked correct.
I first need to recreate my reference for this as well which entails shooting new photos .
And it will all have to wait for after the Holidays as well...
Bummer.
If I deleted any photos and comments from the blog it was only because I couldn't stand to see the painting posted in a state that looked terrible to me.

60's gal - Sketch Group Update

2009-12-22T20:26:00.001-08:00

about ready to paint

2009-12-16T23:25:00.001-08:00

Eyeball reference

2009-12-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Some Maquettes I made for this picture.

update

2009-12-14T16:56:00.001-08:00

Eyeball update

2009-12-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

I think I improved the composition a lot with the addition of these couple of figures on the right and left and expanding the size horizontally. This is closer to one of my preliminary idea scribbles .

Eyeball Picture Progress

2009-12-08T21:26:00.001-08:00

Quick report on start of Preliminary

2009-12-07T09:28:00.001-08:00

This is by no means final , just getting it off the ground as I collect my reference material. My models for the pretty girl and the gun wielding guy who will be on bottom right will be created this afternoon. Really need these as it is kind of a focal point.

Costumed models drawn from life

2009-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

Here's about three weeks worth of updates at once! All models drawn at the Kline Academy on Tuesdays.

James Gurney At Baby Tattooville

2009-12-01T14:33:00.000-08:00

My wife and I went to Baby Tattooville in October, in Riverside California at the Mission Inn. Though there were a bunch of artists appearing there, I expressly went to meet James Gurney the incredibly talented artist, illustrator and author. If you don't know his work please go to his web site and check out his incredible blog as well.

The portrait of me you see here was done spontaneously by James after the last breakfast we all shared with the other "conventioneers" or "baby tattooers". I am honored he decided to do a quick caricatured sketch of me.

The little watercolor and colored pencil drawing called "The Clockwatcher Outside Room 417" is one of a number of original drawings, of which one each was given to each of the registered participants!

I also own all the Dinotopia books and The Artists Guide to Sketching and his newest book Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist . This last book is a must have for anyone trying to do more imaginative paintings. It has helped me immensely since I began to try to expand my subject matter conceptually.

I am very grateful to James for his generous sharing of his invaluable knowledge in his books and his blog!

Thanks James you are a big inspiration to me and many others.

Idea sketchs for new picture

2009-11-28T12:51:00.000-08:00

After sketching out a number of ideas, I came up with these. This is a variation of the same setup from different angles. I like the 2nd or middle perspective the best.

Midnight Ride completed painting

2009-11-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm finally done with this.. I had a ball doing this picture. On to even wilder things I hope!

Midnight Ride

2009-11-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Almost finished.

4th day Raven picture

2009-11-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

2nd day painting Raven picture

2009-11-14T18:25:00.001-08:00

I spent yesterday stretching my canvas and then transferring my preliminary drawing. Then I painted a thin color wash lay-in to cover the white canvas and established my values. Today I tried to get a likeness of the oldest girl. I had a lot of family interruptions but got some work done.

New evening and daylight color sketch's painted a bit larger

2009-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

I hope to get my canvas stretched tomorrow( 25"x35") and my drawing transferred as well and begin laying in the first color washes on this finally.

Some color ideas

2009-11-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

Three color ideas for this picture. I think I'm leaning towards the nocturne or night color scheme. It seems to be more unified than the sunny day sketch. Maybe a white raven instead of a black one? Any feedback out there?

final preliminary- colour sketchs on the way

2009-11-11T12:37:00.001-08:00

Raven picture update

2009-11-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

Updates to the picture

Waiting for H1N1 Vaccine

2009-11-05T21:06:00.000-08:00

Wednesday myself, my wife and 6 year old child waited four hours to try and get my kid a flue shot. I got to the Santa Monica College at 7:15 AM to stake out a place in line. We got all the way almost to where the vaccine would be administered, 11:45 AM before we were told there was no more injectable vaccine, the only kind my daughter can have as she is Asthmatic. We were so upset.

What a bummer to hang out all morning with no payoff at the end! Anyway here's a sampling of sketches I made while we waited all morning in line.

Sketch with Architecture

2009-11-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning to draw my imaginary city in. Its based on Prague architecture with some French and Santa Monica California thrown in for good measure! I also present a little color sketch I created to try and get a feel for the city as well.

couple new studies

2009-11-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

I did these in the last few days and the beach scene two weeks ago.

The building paintings from on high will be reference for the new "Bird" picture I'm doing.

Raven over city charcoal sketch

2009-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here's my progress on my preliminary drawing and the architectural maquette I'm building for the background below the bird with the kids. I also made a small maquette of a raven as well.

Idea sketches for Raven picture

2009-10-28T13:11:00.000-07:00

Some of my idea sketches for the painting where I am exploring my composition.

Malo as a French Maid 10/13/09

2009-10-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

I have not been posting latley and I am behind. Lots of stuff to show and new developments.

Heres some drawings from last weeks drawing session with Malo as a French Maid.

School Girl

2009-10-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

The beautiful model Sara Streeter posed for these drawings last night at the Kline Academy.

Sketch Ideas For A New Painting

2009-09-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is actually a commission, but I am being given pretty much free rein over how to create it (a real luxury). I am asking for feedback in the subject matter dept because i want the people that are getting the picture to be happy with it. I am pretty sure we are going with the bird idea. I want to make more of the bird sketches and explore some other ideas here as well.

Teal Street Sketch Group 9/24/09

2009-09-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

I was real busy this weekend and the first of this week as well, so here belatedly are some sketches from last week Thursday at the Teal Street sketch group. A beautiful model was there as you can see.

Kline Academy 09/22/09

2009-09-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

Drawings of the lovely Marissa . She posed as a Racer. Very inspiring poses, lots of fun!

Winward Ave @ Venice Beach

2009-09-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

A little sketch in oil done on the spot.

Sketch group at Kline Academy 09/15/09

2009-09-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

Adrienne was the model . She is also one of the Gallery Girls.

Corner Of Riviera & Winward Ave

2009-09-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

A quick little study I did today in Gouache on Illustration board on the spot in an hour or so at the corner of Riviera and Winward avenues at Venice Beach.

I did one other but I don't think its good enough to post.

I am now using my new Open M Pochade Box.

It is really awesome. I'm gonna get it ready to use oils with it tomorrow. The company that makes em is so backed up with orders that the outer box is not ready yet but I hope to get it in a few weeks.

The part I have right now is the box that attaches to a photo tripod. Its so light and compact. I love it.

Minotaur Finished

2009-09-14T13:58:00.001-07:00

This isn't my favorite painting. But I did learn a lot doing it. A bit murky in color.. anyway.

I hope to get out and do some painting directly from life the next few days. Nothing like direct observation to strengthen the skills and I really need it right now.

I also have a commission to start on and I'm excited to get going on that.

More soon. ( Not that anybody out there is really tuning in here! )

Stoking The Embers

Three Cheers

New Paintings

The Beast

The Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse

Seven Snakes Season 6 Dexter Episode 10

The Seven Bowls Of Wrath, Dexter - Episode 9

Whore Of Babylon Dexter Season 6 episodes 6 and 8

Angel Of Death Dexter Season 6 Episode 5

Magic Tea party- Final Oil

Update: Magic Tea Party commission

Evolution Of "The Ripper"

Portrait study from life

Problem Solved or The Divorce

Charcoal Preliminary For New Painting

Everything But the Kitschen Sync Annual Group Show Volume 14

The Science Of Lust ---Happy Valentines Day

Midnight Chivalry - Final Painting

Alley Way - Three diffrent color sketch's 16" x 20"

Alley Way- Roughs and preliminary charcoal

New Painting - Flirtation

Bad Girl

Seven Portrait studies

Brush trick

The Fantastic Paintings Of Ignat Ignatov

new preliminary charcoal - Bad Girl

Dave Lebows paintings featured on Artodyssey

Exhibition News

Dave Lebow's painting "Satan's Shadow" included in the AAPL 82nd Grand National Exhibition

November 2nd through November 12 , 2010Daily from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.Reception, Sunday, November 7th , 20102:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Devil and Death - final charcoal and color sketches

An iPhone Artist Haunts the Subways

Paolo Ventura

New Painting: Magic Show

Rockwell on Rockwell: How I Make A Picture

Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist

Forty illustrators and how they work

Magic Show

Devil and Death

Robot Invasion 41" x 34" oil on canvas

Sight-Size in still life

California Open Exhibition

Quick oil sketch. 9"x12"

Towards The Na Pali Coast

Aycil

Paper Dice

Loosley painted Still Life Experiment

Quick monochrome self portrait with Renaissance hat.

Nun On A Box

New Still Life

Matadore Beach

More LandScape

Toy Robot with Bone Club

Woman and Snake

Idea and color sketches

Woman with Snake Maquettes

Woman with Snake

Drawings Of Sara Streeter in Steampunk costume

Quick color sketches from the figure

Satan's Shadow - A new still - life

Robot maquette

Mandy - oil sketch 4 hours

Portrait Of Bailey

Life Drawings

Love Affair-- change to painting

Brain Transfer

Painting in progress

Mind Control - Preliminary Charcoal almost complete

Mad Scientist- Rough Comp sketch

Final touches on Eyeball picture

Eyeball finished

Ivy & Buchanan

Repainting

60's gal - Sketch Group Update

about ready to paint

Eyeball reference

update

Eyeball update

Eyeball Picture Progress

Dave Lebow's painting "Satan's Shadow"
included in the AAPL 82nd Grand National Exhibition

November 2nd through November 12 , 2010
Daily from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Reception, Sunday, November 7th , 2010
2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.