Thom's Napkin

Charcoal on Paper. 8x11. April 2019.

While sketching in my journal, I saw how triangles could form a figure. I became intrigued with the idea, so I set to see if I could accomplish it. I think this does rather well, though the triangles lead to ridiculous proportions…

Sold.

Charcoal on Paper. 8x11. April 2019.

The second part of the two drawings of the same scene from two different angles at two slightly different times. Obviously, there are other subtle differences, but they both still hold to the vision.

The whole series was given to a friend.

Charcoal on Paper. 8x11.

Picture One of Two.

I drew two sketches of this view. You can see them on the “Drawing A Day” page. I couldn’t decide which I liked better. I put both sketches up for an anonymous poll to see what the masses thought, and they chose the counter part to this picture.

But I liked this one. So I drew this one first. I didn’t love it, but I liked it. I started work on no. 2. While working on that one, I saw the foot prints and how they would tie the whole scene together, so I stopped work, switched pictures and put in the foot prints. Voila!

However, I’m still enchanted with the 2nd picture even more than the first.

Now I realized these two pictures will always be tied together. They are just two different angles at two very slightly different times on the same drama.

Charcoal on paper. 8x11. March 2019

This was a practice piece of sorts, but it developed into a fetching farmhouse scene. The farmer’s body language is awkward, not intentionally mind you, but these things happen. I like the kitten in the window, the guy on the left and the foliage…

Charcoal on Paper 8x11 March 2019.

I still think this is funny. Another recreation of classic napkin art redone in charcoal on paper. I want to make one more full size piece out of this.

Charcoal on Paper. 8x11 March 2019.

I wanted to draw an octopus. I like the sand dollar on the lower right. This is one of my more popular offerings to date, and I hope to make a large piece of it some day.

Charcoal on paper. 8x11 March 2019.

This is my first piece on plain paper. I must say, I’m impressed. It’s easier to work than canvas, though I like the idea of canvas. I’m starting to turn some of my napkin art into more substantial pieces, this being my first attempt.

I like this scene, a theme I will forever return to.

14 x 18” Charcoal on Canvas. Feb. 2019

Commission. Sold.

My friend wanted a commission of his dog. I didn’t know this dog at all, and by the sounds of him, he didn’t really sound that charismatic. So, I drew the dog, but didn’t really know how to set up the scene.

Then I had the idea of making him gigantic and having him lay on the moon. Add in a little earth rise in the background, and there you have it.

Charcoal on Canvas. 12x24.

Commission. Sold.

Killer Whales are often seen in family groups or pods. This particular pod I had photographed years ago in Alaska. I wanted a reference for the spy hopping whale, and I often use photos I have caught for this aspect. The background is in British Columbia. Three Island Cove is made up, but but I liked the name better than the accepted name.

Charcoal on Canvas Board. 11x14.

Commission. Sold.

My friend wanted a drawing of a bass player. The bassists are always behind the scenes, the heartbeat of any band, and I wanted to convey this here. The only thing I used a photograph for was to get the height of the Bass correct, but other than that, this scene came together from my imagination. I really like the patrons of this bar. I imagine this band to be playing on a Thursday night, giving it their all, but nobody really paying too much attention to them.

Charcoal on Canvas. 12x24.

Commission. Sold.

I had done this scene for a friend of mine on a dinner napkin several months ago. He came back saying he wanted it on canvas. While forming the figure, another friend of mine said, “you should make him peeing.” Being the smart ass I am, I took my eraser and made it so. Well, my friend said he loved it, and the customer is always right.

Charcoal on Canvas Board. 11x14.

Commission. Sold.

My first Orca. I wanted the scene to mimic the ethereal days in Southeast Alaska, where the clouds shift around in minutes and the air is a pleasure to breathe.

The Orca, a bull, are often scene some distance away from the rest of the pod, and it was this distant bull, I wanted to draw.

Charcoal On Canvas Board. 16x24” August 2018

I was sketching on the porch with the outer scene, but realized to make it right, I needed to put the picture in the scene. One thing led to another, and I tried another, and another, and realized the potential… I’m going to play with this idea more.

11x14 Charcoal on Canvas Board.

July 2018

I was asked to do a commission with a musical theme featuring a piano. I wasn’t sure of the composition until I heard my client talk about how much he loved old Jazz clubs. It was an easy composition after that. I wanted the piano player to be cool. I wanted him to be the star of the show. The audience came in at the end rounding out the scene perfectly.

Sold.

12x24” Charcoal on Canvas.

June 2018

I wanted the whale to be the star of the scene, but it was important to offer a realistic backdrop to the scene. It’s a quiet scene, but only until the whale hits the water.

Sold.

12x16 Charcoal on Canvas Board.

June 2018.

My first frog. This originally started as a frog in the redwoods. It needed something, so I added the path. Finally, I visualized the child, and the piece came together.

Sold.

Charcoal on Canvas. 18x24”

Sold on Commission.

This is one of my better portraits. If you knew Rex, you’d understand the reason for the smirk. This was a very fun project to take on and I am very pleased with the results.

Charcoal on canvas board. 12"x12"

Probably my best charcoal piece to date.

Sold.

Charcoal on canvas board. 8"X12"

One night I worked this scene four times on napkin, making mistakes on all of them. The next day, I decided to do it in charcoal, as I still had it in my mind how I wanted it. This is the best version.

Sold.

Charcoal on canvas board.   12"x 16"

This was the original scene I had in mind. I debated making it a day scene halfway through the piece, but I woke up one morning and I knew this is the scene I wanted. So, I did it.

Sold to a friend.

8x12. Charcoal on Canvas. January 2018.

A sinister scene.

Sold. $100.00.

11x14. Charcoal on Canvas Board. January 2018.

This scene is better in person. It's my most dynamic landscape to date, inspired by the alps of Switzerland.

Sold. $100.00

11x14. Charcoal on Canvas Board. December 2017.

A man's indifference to another man in jail.

Given away in a white elephant gift exchange. The recipient loved it.

8x12. Charcoal on Canvas Board. December 2017.

The hand makes this one.

Sold. $100.00

8x12. Charcoal on Canvas Board. December 2017

Natures indifference to man's attempt to control it.

Traded to another artist for a hand made neck wrap.

11x14 Charcoal on Canvas Board. November 2017.

This is a piece I started a decade ago, but was never satisfied with its result. I took it off the wall and reworked it into this piece, a work that I really like. The great ones learned to draw before they could paint, and as part of my learning process, I'm returning to charcoal to see what I can learn.

Available. Price Negotiable.