Shollenberger Park

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This was the first painting that I did with the North Bay Plein Air Meetup group.This is a fun group of painters including folks at all levels of ability. If you're in the area look them up as they have a paintout practically every month. This was painted between the Marina and the main part of Shollenberger. You can see photos of more of the paintout paintings along with photos of folks painting at the Meetup link above.

To see more of my plein air paintings please visit my web site; Alfredo Tofanelli Fine Art.

Emerald Blue

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I hiked down with all my gear to the north side of Emerald Bay not knowing exactly what I'd find from lake level. Driving by over the years this spot had a certain kind of magic and I've always wanted to paint here. It was a bit of a hike on a paved trail and my pack didn't seem too heavy. When it finally started to get heavy I came across a friend, John Deckert who was on his way up after painting a couple great, color sketches. At the bottom I found Vikingsholm Castle which is quite picturesque. I decided to hike around the north side of the island to try and get a better angle and to get closer to the island. After checking out a dozen potential spots to set up my easel I decided to paint this angle. The light was really interesting and I started to feel the magic of the place. The scene was flooded with blue and I tried to capture it. A couple times I almost scraped off the canvas as I was having a hard time capturing the atmosphere. I was pleased with the final results. Then there was the hike back. Almost immediately I was wondering how I would make it up the slope with all my gear. That was a hard hike back up but I had a delicious sandwich waiting for me that kept me going.

To see more of my North Tahoe Plein Air paintings and other landscapes please visit my web site; Alfredo Tofanelli Fine Art.

Rebecca at Julie's

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This was painted at the 2 hour quick draw for Alameda Plein Air. Rebecca worked at Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden and I ask her if she would pose for a painting. She was a terrific model and fun to paint. We set up in the garden patio in the back of Julie's; great spot. I had 2 hours to get my board stamped, drive up to Julie's, paint the portrait, frame and wire it, drive back and check it in within 2 hours. Weew! Carole Gray Weihman and Victoria Brooks were painting inside of Julie's too.

Verdi

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The folks at the Frank Bette Center arranged to have the artists paint at Cardinal Point in Alameda. I arrived a little late and Verdi asked if I would paint her portrait as all the other artists had already started their paintings. We went out into the outdoor atrium and she sat for me for about 2 hours. She was a great model! She wouldn't take a break and held her pose beautifully.

View from Giacomini Ranch - in private collection

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This was painted on the Robert Giacomini Dairy north of Point Reyes as part of the Art on the Farm. The painting is looking south past the Point Reyes area.



From left to right Carole Gray-Weihman, Wendy Franklin and Alfredo Tofanelli painting at the Giacomini Ranch. Photo by Larry Bryson.

Lee's Ranch - in private collection

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This was painted at Lee's Ranch in Penngrove. The family ranch has some beautiful views in just about every direction. This view is looking towards the Sonoma mountains. This was painted during a Randall Sexton Workshop that we were hosting at l'Atelier aux Couleurs.

Marta with Umbrella

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The first week of September we host a Peggi Kroll-Roberts workshop here at the l'Atelier aux Couleurs. My partners and I facilitate the workshop and paint once everything is set-up. I painted this study along with 5 other sketches on a 16x20 board and was rather pleased with this one, especially for a quick pose, 40 minutes or so. I did another 20 minute sketch following this one and then went in the studio to get something for one of the students. When I got back I saw Camille and others with a long face and saw my board was leaning against the easel. When I was away a gust blew my easel and board over and the paintings landed face down in the dirt and dried grass. "Oh well", I said and started to clean up my set-up when another gust blew over my paintings for a second time. Doh! This painting and the last sketch where completely covered with debris. I decided to wait til it dried to try and remove the debris and this is what survived.

Lost in the Moment

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This was painted for the Alameda Plein Air Quickdraw where all the artists got together between 10am & noon and painted the downtown section of Alameda. I chose to paint Marta on a bench in Jackson Park.

Little girl on Beach

This little girl is a cutie that was next door to where we set up to paint each day. Joanette finally talked to her mom about having her sister model for us one afternoon. A little while after her sister started modeling her friend came down a sat down next to her. A little while later her younger sister came and sat down next to her; and pouted the whole time.

Sarah on Dingy

Sarah sitting on the dingy on another overcast day. Sarah has been modelling with the Egelis for several years and is a great model. She is also a heck of a painter! She paints a mean sunset. Sarah brought out a bunch she had resently finished and I had to have one; so I bought one!

Krista on overcast beach

Krista was lounging against an old beat up dingy on the beach. We waited for the sun to come out but it never did that day.

Krista with Pink Scarf

Krista posing on the beach in Provincetown. I took a workshop with Cedric and Joanette Egeli there in June & July for two weeks. They have a tremendous knowledge of the human form as two of the top portrait painters. They also studied color with Henry Hensche and teach painting mud heads on the Cape.