Aries - The Warrior Ram

6x8" original watercolour painting

Happy Birthday to all the Aries out there. The Warrior Ram is the first sign, one of confidence and independence. This Zodiac sign, from late March to April, is often described as 'fiery'!

missed you

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

Well, I've been dabbling in oil and gouache and I gotta say, I've sure missed watercolour. It's been fun experimenting and I've learned loads, but I'll always return to this beautiful, clean, expressive medium. This charming little set up seemed like the perfect arrangement as we near spring! : )

through and through

5x7" original oil painting

Viridain Green paint is always a pleasure to use because it's a very relaxed pigment. It's not that strong a colour and it's got a cool temperature. I used it for the lighting on the side of the model's face. I really enjoyed warming up this painting with lots of oranges and reds for contrast. : )

reaching for spring

$100 - 6x8" original oil painting on 1" wooden panel.

These orange blossoms are anticipating spring... like all of us! 

The edges are painted turquoise, just like the background.

first oil portrait

 

$100 - 5x7" original oil on 1" wooden panel with purple edges (see pic below)

Well, this is my first OIL portrait. I've painted with oil. I've painted portraits. But never together! The lower lighting on the model was just fantastic. Phew. Now, onto a second.

side by side

 

$60 - original 5x7" gouache painting with 8x10"mat

I thought it would be nice to bring in the month of March with a couple of lovely orange blossoms. And, a third painting with one of my new colourful vases. I just love them! 

Here are a few detail pics.

portrait on blue and 'table easel'

Here's my latest 6x8" original gouache painting on Strathmore toned blue mixed media paper, which I told you about in my last blog post. I love it. The blue paper (really a cool gray) certainly helps the lighter colours pop.
Also, here are a few pics of my new paintbox and painting materials. 

I just bought this cute little 12x10" decorative suitcase. It's perfect as a table easel and the lid stays propped open.

 

Here it is, fitting all my supplies perfectly. It's about 3"deep. I've been looking for a table easel and this one is a lot more fun, and practical, than the wooden ones. Most importantly, I can balance it on my lap for painting outdoors. 

I've got a pad of 5x7"paper resting in the 1" deep lid, gouache paint kit, water container, paper towels, brushes and a gray paper palette for mixing. Since the lid is 12x10", it fits an 8x10" pad too. (That's just a piece of foam core board behind the paper). Perfect!

I love red and pink

 

$60 - 5x7" original gouache painting with 8x10" mat.

The cute colourful glass vases that I got over the holidays continue to inspire me! Since I love red and pink together, I popped a pink flower into the vase and put it under a strong light. I really enjoyed painting the red reflections on the white tablecloth. Check out the pics below, of my easel and set up!

I bought this pad of Strathmore cool blue paper because of it's rough tooth, plus  it's 180lb, so it can take some thick paint.

As you can see, the cool blue is very gray. That's my gouache palette, with a water tight lid. I love it. I was encouraged to get it by the awesome gouache painter Lena Rivo.

It's weird to be painting with white paint, since I'm a watercolour artist and never needed it! As you can see from my palette, I misjudged how much I needed. ; b

Finally, a few close ups of the painting. You can see the tooth of the paper coming through due to it's rough texture. I'm very happy with this bright little piece.

late evening together

$140 - original 8x10” oil painting on wooden panel 

Well, I'm painting in oil again. The gouache I've been working with is wonderful but it won't 'stick' to any surface that has been gessoed. So, I thought I'd try oil again. 

Check out the close ups below. It's so fun blending oil... and so different from watercolour. Also below is a picture of the back of the 1" cradled panel. 

The wooden cradled panel has approximately a 1"edge on it.

doc

 - $60 original 6x8" painting in gouache

I felt like painting with green and purple today. Since the model was lit from both sides I thought I'd paint one side predominantly green and the other purple. I brought in some reds down the middle to warm up his lovely friendly face and bring it all together. I love the colours green and purple together. 

against the odds

 SOLD

$60 6x8" original gouache painting on paper

First let me say thank you so much to everyone who came out to the show on Saturday. It was a big success with lots of visitors and yummy treats. I sold one of my favourite portraits (bottom painting), called ponder. 

The above flower painting is another gouache. Over the holidays I was given some cute colourful vases. These three purple friends look lovely contrasting the sunny yellow glass. More still life paintings with little vases are in the works....!

February's Flower - the violet

 $60 -5x7"original watercolour painting in 8x10"mat

It's February, and despite the snow and cold, these pretty purple pals are here to cheer up your day. Check out my Instagram Account to see the slideshow of the process. (Sadly, I can't seem to upload it here on blogger.) 

And now, off to the opening of the Heliconian Life Drawing show. I'll be there from 1-2 Saturday February 9 at 35 Hazelton Ave., Toronto. Hope to see you there. 

thoughtful

  $60 - 5x7"gouache painting

Another small colourful painting to warm up the nooks and crannies of your home.  It's actually quite difficult to title portrait paintings. I had to give this one a lot of thought... which lead me to 'thoughtful'. ; ) 

Life Drawing Show!

SOLD

This is just one of three portraits that I have hanging at the Heliconian Club in Toronto this month. Come by and say Hi at 35 Hazelton Ave. I'll be there from 1-2pm.

And here are a few charcoal studies that I did before completing the finished gouache painting. Hope to see you this weekend!