Simpler Times

San Diego Automotive Museum

2012-02-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach 2011

2012-01-31T17:38:00.000-08:00

The Surf Theater

2011-07-05T07:47:00.001-07:00

The Surf Theater gained fame in the 1960s for screening movies such as “The Endless Summer” and “Five Summer Stories”. The theater was located just one block north of the pier on 5th St in “Surf City” Huntington Beach, and was demolished in 1989. I have rendered the image in a sepia toned watercolor to preserve the memory.

The Crab Cooker

2011-03-22T21:54:00.000-07:00

I am primarily a studio watercolorist. To begin my process, I spend a lot of time with a camera to capture images to work from. Sometimes a photo I have taken stimulates me, or I have a concept and search for the subject matter.

I begin composing the actual piece with a series of quick sketches to work out the elements and composition. Later, I create a more finished final sketch, and I begin thinking about colors and contrast of light and dark. Once I am happy with the final sketch, I execute a final pencil drawing the actual size of the finished painting.

I then transfer the final drawing to watercolor paper. Because I work in transparent watercolor, I must first save any areas that will remain white. I also mask some areas of the painting to be able to work quickly using a wet-on-wet technique. Next I begin painting the details of the piece, working from light to dark. In the final stages, I punch up some of the colors and darken other areas to add contrast and life to the piece.

While in our 20s, my wife Donna and I lived within walking distance of the Crab Cooker in Newport Beach, and someone actually stole this blue Volkswagen while she was at the beach.

Flying "A"

2011-02-19T22:30:00.000-08:00

While growing up Upland, California, my dad owned a Flying “A” gas station. It was great to have a job waiting for me and my brothers as soon as we could reach a windshield. Remember the days when you pulled into a gas station, purchased a few dollars of Ethyl or Regular, had your windshield washed, the air in your tires checked and the fluid checked under your hood? I have turned back the clock a bit with the truck, and the pumps, and I have included my childhood dog ,Sarge, who loved to greet the customers.

"Here's Lookin at You"

2011-01-19T14:17:00.000-08:00

I have just completed a small series of gangster inspired paintings, and I am really enjoying working in acrylics again.

Cool '55

2011-01-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

A lot of artists are intimidated by watercolor, and claim it is a very difficult medium. One reason for this is the quick drying time, and the other reason is that you must preserve the paper for you whites. The artist must work quickly and cover large areas while still saving the white areas. Unlike oils, you cannot blend your colors slowly or pull out a tube of white paint. Watercolorists work from light to dark, and once the white areas are gone there is no coming back. To preserve your whites apply art masking fluid or apply drafting tape and cut out your shapes with an x-acto knife. In this image, all of the whites of the chrome are simply the paper showing through.

The Duke

2011-01-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

This is an example of how areas were masked first, in order to paint quickly, without worrying about painting around the car image.

Corniglia, Italy

2011-01-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

This watercolor was created after attending a photography workshop to Italy in 2008. It is one of five villages on the coast called Cinqueterra. For more paintings visit my website: http://www.drysdalestudio.com/

Rainbirds

2011-01-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

I was out taking photos on 12/22/10 during a break in the heavy rains we were experiencing trying to capture our channel that was near capacity when I spotted these birds overhead.

Mount Cashel Lodge

2010-12-19T09:43:00.000-08:00

Mount Cashel was our home base while we were in Ireland. We traveled each day to new places, but the lodge and grounds were amazing and rich with subject mater to sketch and photograph as well.

Sketching in Ireland

2010-12-19T09:39:00.000-08:00

A fellow photographer captured me sketching our lodge through her window. Thank you Kathi!!!

Peaceful morning on Castle Lake in Ireland

2010-07-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

Crystal Cove

2010-06-22T08:53:00.001-07:00

Ireland Adventure 2010 Photos by Bill Drysdale

2010-06-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

2010-06-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

2010-06-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

Bill Drysdale

2010-06-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

The people of Ireland

2010-06-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

2010-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

2010 Ireland Adventure

2010-06-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

2008-11-21T18:09:00.000-08:00

when I compose a painting i start with thumbnail sketches to create the composition...i then finalize the sketch before i begin the drawing for the finished painting...this piece was about the light hitting the water...to view the finished painting go to drysdalestudio.com...portfolio...drysdale store

2008-11-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

I thought i was in heaven while sipping wine and eating cheese on the mediterranean coast in vernazza

2008-11-21T17:48:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by the deep blue Mediterranean Sea and the fishing boats in Cinque Terra...you can visit my website...drysdalestudio.com and see the finished watercolor paintings of the boats... they can be seen in the drysdale store...original watercolors.

2008-11-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

as an artist it has always been my dream to travel to italy...and my dream has become reality...my wife donna and i recently returned from tuscany...i was able to experience the sights, sounds and the culture...

i came away very inspired...the trip was amazing, and i have begun a new series of paintings from the many, many photos that i took for reference material...

here is one of the pictures taken from a hiking trail in vernazza...ciao

2008-11-16T17:26:00.000-08:00