Monday, September 10, 2007

Dillon Beach

I was complaining about the heat in the last update, and how it's made getting outside to paint landscapes a little bit unbearable. My lucked changed when Alex and I were treated to a weekend getaway at a beach house up the coast in one of my favorite painting locations, Dillon Beach. The area in general usually promises overcast skies and fog - just the kind of moodiness I enjoy painting! Early morning Saturday did not disappoint, and after about half an hour of scouting, I found my spot.

Shoreline Marshlands 11" x 14" Oil on Canvas.

The rest of the weekend was spent, for the most part, in complete relaxation - something else Alex and I both really needed. My brother David and his girlfriend drove up and joined us later on, where we all enjoyed good food, lazying around, conversation, and soaking in the scenery.

Here are some photos from the weekend. More to follow if I can get a copy of Dave's.
Dillon Beach


9 comments:

Albert Sorrentino Jr. said...

WOW!
you're paintings are all quite beautiful!! so are all the illustrations! CHEERS!!

singinghawk said...

Oh my! You have been so busy! Where to begin...

Okay, I will start from where I last visited...which is somewhere far below! and then be back. :o)

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singinghawk said...

and here I am again...

this painting is superb! Excellent composition, mood and atmosphere! Sensitive brushwork and colors! -- almost looks like watercolor.

Mike Dutton said...

Thanks Sorrentino and Ana. Actually, thanks Ana x5 for all the comments just now, I do believe you're all caught up! :P

Funny you mention the oil looking like a watercolor. That's been a goal of mine, but I'm still struggling with it. There's a lot of manipulating and texturing in watercolors that I just haven't been able to carry over in oils. I'll find a way to marry the two eventually. Learning to back off on the heavy impasto brushwork for every single stroke has helped for starters. I'm beginning to enjoy the early stages of painting a lot more because of it.

Bill Ferguson said...

Great scenery very inspiring. I'm liking the painting too. Is Dillon Beach somewhere in California. Its a stupid question but I have only been to Valencia , San Francisco, and Anahiem when it comes to California.

Nonie said...

Nice work, sir. The texture in that lanscape is beautiful.

I saw one of your pieces (the "Flight" one... cover of your travel journal?) in a gallery by my apartment in San Francisco and got all excited cuz I know your work from CA.org.

Mike Dutton said...

Hey Nonie, this piece will actually be in that same gallery toward the end of this month, so you may get to see the textures up close.

It's always cool to recognize work of people you know, I'm flattered you recognized mine. :)

Unknown said...

Wow- great painting Mike. Sorolla would be proud of that one - really impressive!

Tom Scholes said...

Love it man! How much? :O hehe