This is a second sketch for my commissioned beaver painting. I combined both of the sketches together for the painting – so there are two beavers in the painting. I’ll be posting the actual painting a little later. 
Wolf Sketching
There has been some interest in my wolf sketches on the blog – requesting a few more posts featuring them. This sketch is the rough for a new painting I will be starting on soon.
Beaver Painting
As I posted earlier, I have been primarily working on the stack of commissions I have in my studio right now. This is one of the rough sketches for my beaver commission. I have been painting on this piece for the last couple of days.
I really liked studying this animal. He walked slowly, as you would expect a beaver to behave, but could also jump or run at any moment and be very energetic. It made watching him almost comical. :) With the beautiful fall colored leaves on the ground complementing him, I think the painting is going to turn out very well.
New Doodles
I finished a few paintings recently that never made it into the blog, unfortunately. Sometimes those deadlines……
This (pictured) is one of my new paintings I’ve just started to sketch out. I have a number of these half-done and just-started pieces sitting around my studio at the moment. :) Most of them are being painted for a number of my upcoming shows (both confirmed and unconfirmed).
Keep an eye on the Lathamstudios.com exhibits page for times and locations – It is updated as new details are confirmed. :)
Snow
A foot and a half of heavy snow in Minnesota :).
Return to Studio Work
I have just returned to my studio from our recent exhibition in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The show went very well. It was great to see everyone again!
A few new things have popped up, so I will be posting about those a little later. I am starting on some requested artwork right now. More photos to come… :)
Sketches for Paintings
This is a sketch of one of the paintings I’m working on right now. I have done a little work in color on it since this photo was taken. I’ll get a fresh picture of it online when it’s a little farther along.
I also started a large bird painting (30×40) a few days ago that is on my easel at the moment. I was so involved in the painting process for it that I forgot to snap a photo of the initial sketch for the blog, so unfortunately that piece will have to wait a bit before posting.
Birding
The past few days have involved walks on the beach for reference of Floridian species of wildlife – birds in particular. In addition to a variety of birds, we were joined by a number of dolphins as well.
Thanks to our friends for their help in directing us to popular wildlife hangouts for our studies. :)
Wildlife Refuge Studies
A tour of Merritt Island today. Everything was just beautiful – and so many birds!! :) I have been to this area before, but hadn’t been able to spend adequate time in the refuge for more in-depth study. Truthfully, I would have liked to have spent a great deal more time than just today, but I do have to get back to the studio sometime to catch up on a few deadlines. :)
Aquatic Wildlife
A visit to Sea World for some oceanic reference and study. I especially enjoyed seeing the polar bear exhibit where the water is kept at a specific temperature for the comfort of the bear – simulating it’s natural habitat. :)
