Colored Pencil Drawings

This series of Tom's drawings are all Prismacolor colored pencil on smooth bristol board, done in studio. This is a new medium for Tom upon semi-retiring from his industrial design career. The over 200 colors available greatly expand the possibilities of the pencil as a medium, in comparison to his life-long use of graphite pencil for black and white plein air drawing expression.

Bald Eagle Diptych

July 15, 2023

Our magnificent American symbol has a very impressive skull. The bony ring around the eye socket, which forms the eagle’s unique eyebrow shape, is particularly interesting.

Human Hand Diptych

July 15, 2023

The human hand has 27 bones, and is an amazing anatomical structure that supplies our sophisticated opposed thumb dexterity.

Human Foot Diptych

July 15, 2023

The human foot has 26 bones, and is an amazing anatomical structure that supports our weight and supplies our complex bipedal mobility.

Early Spring Sandhill Crane Mating Dance

July 15, 2023

In early spring we often have pairs of Sandhill Cranes in our yard. The male does dancing, spinning and jumping to apparently impress his mate.

Heart Rock in the Alabama Hills

July 15, 2023

This unique rock formation caught my eye when we were hiking in the sculpturally amazing Alabama Hills east of Death Valley, California….best known as background for the Lone Ranger TV series.

This is my 2nd drawing of a Merlin Falcon, the smallest falcon about the size of a large pigeon. They are fierce and beautiful, and often dine on the songbirds and chipmunks in our yard. This one landed on the ground right near our bird feeder….its favorite local restaurant.

Chapel Rock at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

July 15, 2023

This beautiful sculptural eroding rock formation has a full size hardwood tree on top, with roots that uniquely bridge a large gap to an adjacent cliffside.

Raven on the Mendocino, California Shore

July 15, 2023

I photographed this beautiful raven near a cliff overlooking the Pacific, close to the picturesque ocean side town of Mendocino.

Chickadee Ridge

July 15, 2023

At the 9,000 ft. above sea level of Mount Rose, looking down on magnificent Lake Tahoe there is a ridge where the chickadees are unafraid of humans. They eat seeds from your hand. It was well worth it to snowshoe about 1.5 miles from the highway to that “magical” ridge.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine 2 on White Mountain, California

July 15, 2023

This is my 2nd drawing of an ancient Bristlecone Pine tree, among the longest lived life forms on our planet (4,000 to 6,000 years). It was magical to visit them at 11,000 ft. above sea level, at the tree line, on White Mountain in Southeast California.