Despite the rain today, I was able to get outside and do a small painting. It's another study of reflections and I spent about an hour on it.  I used a limited palette for this one and I've started to think about what colors I need instead of laying out a bunch of colors; this method saves colors and forces you to think about more creatively about color.  Also, if you suddenly realize that you need a red or whatever color, then just put some of that color on your palette.  The colors I used for this painting were the following: Silver White, Chrome Yellow Deep, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Van Dyke Brown and Ivory Black.
  I'm practicing my art as much as I can and I'm feeling happier.  I think of these paintings as capturing moments that I want to remember in the future.  I've always felt that good paintings capture moments much better than any photo could.
 I'm getting back on track with my art and I've been reading a lot recently also.  I'm currently almost done reading a great book called "The Republic of Pirates" by Colin Woodard; the book covers the golden age of piracy (1715 - 1725)-- I highly recommend it as a great read.  The other big component in my life is that I'm going to the gym very consistently, which has been helping me a lot.

  I just painted a small (7" X 5") oil painting and it was really enjoyable.  I always love painting reflections and I enjoy drawing and painting the ones that are in my fish's bowl.  It felt good to paint again.

  I've been in touch recently with a good friend of mine who is also an amazing artist.  He's inspired me to get back to work on some finished oil paintings.  Yesterday, I toned a bunch of panels and a new canvas.  I've been too lazy about painting lately and I really am feeling inspired now to make some new paintings.  I want to do some portraits of my friends and family specifically.  
  I've still been sketching a lot recently, but I miss oil painting so much.  I'm feeling more myself again lately and I owe everything to my friends.  You have to have friends in life to make it through.

Current Full Oil Painting Palette:
 - Silver White
 - Naples Yellow
 - Lemon Yellow
 - Chrome Yellow Light 
 - Chrome Yellow Deep
 - Cadmium Orange
 - Yellow Ochre
 - Raw Sienna
 - Cadmium Red Light
 - Vermillion
 - Rose Madder
 - Alizarin Crimson
 - Brun Rouge
 - Burnt Sienna
 - Emerald Green
 - Viridian
 - Cobalt Blue
 - Ultramarine Blue
 - Prussian Blue
 - Cobalt Violet
 - Raw Umber
 - Burnt Umber
 - Van Dyke Brown
 - Ivory Black

  I picked up my old sketchbook tonight and started doing some new sketches in it.  It's a sketchbook that my brother gave me back in 2014 as a gift and I have used it off and on since then.  It's funny to see how my inspirations and style has shifted in the past 4 years.  I used to draw really fast, which appears much more sketchy than my current sketches. I also used to draw from my imagination a lot.
  My current sketches are all from life and the world around me.  I still draw pretty quickly, but it's not as wild as my style back in 2014.  It's an interesting comparison and it brought back a lot of memories.  I have some old notes in there also, some made me sad and some made me smile.  I'll start using this sketchbook more often and I used it tonight to draw small portrait sketches of my family.