Clouds Over The Front Range

Clouds Over The Front Range

5 x 7 inches

Oil on wood panel

(c) Bill Brauker

I went for a walk yesterday afternoon near my house in Westminster, CO and spotted these clouds over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It is one of my favorite views from the neighborhood.

This is my entry in the Daily Paintworks challenge to raise funds for the people of Japan. Artists from around the world are donating the proceeds from the sales of all the paintings on the challenge site. To help this important cause, go to http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/FC50B15D-5016-4E5E-87F2-87C3F79BA65B to place a bid on my painting or on one of the hundreds of others available.

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Front Range

Front Range
8 X 10
Oil on wood panel.

This is a view of the front range of the Rocky Mountains, viewed from Standley Lake, in Westminster, Colorado, which is located half way between Denver and Boulder.

It was a bright, afternoon, with the mountains a hazy blue, almost disappearing in the distance, and some big clouds above.

Watercolor, Front Range

Front Range
4 X 6 inches
Watercolor

I recently took my first crack at doing a watercolor. (Well, not really the first. I did do some in grade school.) I did this as an exercise to loosen up my brush strokes and just let the paint flow. I enjoyed doing it and plan on doing more.

Front Range

Front Range
4 X 6 inches
acrylic on wood panel

I decided to switch to acrylic for this one, just to get a feel for that medium. That quick drying time is both a blessing and a curse. Overall, I prefer oils, but may try a couple more acrylics anyway.

A closer look.

Front Range Near Standley Lake

Front Range
8 X 10 inches
oil on wood panel
SOLD

A view of the Front Range, from Standley Lake, near my house.

My wife Anne and I go hiking here quite often. If you look at the clump of trees on the left side of the painting, in the tree farthest to the right, this summer we spotted two great horned owls, sitting side by side. What a sight!

Great Horned Owls. Photo by Bill Brauker

Following are three close-ups of the painting. I like to do this to take a look at the brushstrokes. I still feel I paint somewhat conservatively, and would like to loosen up some.


The original photo of this painting could have been better. Sometimes it is hard to get the color to show up correctly and shoot it without getting reflections on it.

Painting Life, Part Two

Dusk, Front Range
8 X 10 inches
oil on canvas, 2006

After a lay-off of over 25 years, I have picked up the brushes and started painting again. For years, every time I was out in the garage and saw my old paint box, I swore to myself that I would begin again. Finally, after my usual bouts of procrastination, I have done it.

My first subject is a view that is very dear to me. The mountains at dusk. As I stand here typing, (yes, I stand a lot while typing) by my second floor window, the view out is quite similar. I can see the tops of the blue peaks of the front range of the Rocky Mountains, peaking through the trees. The actual scene of the painting is about a half mile away from my house in Westminster, Colorado.

I used both brush and palette knife for this one, mostly the knife, which I love. We get the most beautiful skies here, so the pink is not unusual.

Detail of Dusk, Front Range.