Drawing the Bangarra Dancers!!!

 

 

I had an absolutely awesome time with the Toronto Urban Sketchers on Friday. We were invited to draw the Bangarra Dancers, from Australian, as they warmed up the morning of their performance. Then, some of us returned that evening for the actual performance, called "Spirit", which celebrated their 30 years as a dance company. 

I used charcoal pencil and newsprint and just drew as fast as I could! They did not stop moving. Their idea of an hour warm up was a work out like I've never seen. Truly spectacular dancers! Very inspiring. 

inside outside

12x12" oil painting
This painting will be displayed on the Square Foot Wall at the upcoming Don Valley Art Club Show. Every artist contributes one 12x12" painting, each hanging 1" from each other, floor to ceiling. It always looks super cool!
Here are the step by step pics and a flyer for the upcoming show. I'll be there for the opening on November 20. Come by and say Hi!

 

Save The Date!

There are TONS of artisans in this upcoming art show, including me! 
November 16 - Saturday only - Free - Save the Date!

Jim's look

$180 - original oil painting

Let me just say that the art show this weekend went great! Wonderful visitors, lots of sales and fab weather. Phew! 

I didn't show this painting of Jim since it's still a tad bit wet...

Thanks again ya'll! 

Art Show this weekend!

I'll be there! Both Friday night and Saturday day. Hope to see you this weekend. Be sure to come by and say Hi to me!

Donavan

$200 - 8x10" original oil painting.

I'm busy getting a few more portrait paintings under my belt before my upcoming portrait workshop. When I'm not painting, I'm organizing and updating my handouts. I'm getting excited about the class. Just a week and a half away!

Here's the rough draft in charcoal pencil, which I did before painting. It's a mess but it's a necessary step. Also, a few pics of the painting process along the way. 

2 weeks today!

There are a few spots left in my upcoming portrait workshop. It's here in Toronto, in the Finch and Bathurst area. I've been busy making lots of handouts and I'll be doing demos in watercolour and gouache. I'm super excited about it. All levels and materials are welcome

Contact Adele at wgaworkshops@gmail.com if you're interested. Only $60!!

bejeweled

$200 - original 12x6" oil painting on 1"deep wooden panel

My second piece from the awesome Peggy's Cove (just south west of Halifax, Nova Scotia.) I titled it 'bejeweled' since there are so many hidden little wonders amongst the boats. 
Below is a pic of my thumbnail sketch done in charcoal pencil on newsprint. My thumbnails are usually actual size, so this sketch is also 12x6". 
; )

hidden corner

$100 - original 6x6" oil painting on 1"deep wooden panel

My first piece since returning from the breathtakingly beautiful Nova Scotia. This beautiful turquoise boat was hiding behind a lovely gray building at Peggy's Cove. Such a mesmerizing place. 

Details - 

PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

Save the Date! 

I'll be teaching An Approach to Portrait here in Toronto next month. It includes demos, handouts/pdfs and your own painting time, all at an awesome price! I'm super excited about it. : )

contact Adele at wgaworkshops@gmail.com

Lines!!

This portrait sketching exercise is about drawing fast, using as few lines as possible (I tried to stick to 20...) and using both the point and side of the pencil. I loved this process. I wish I did them on artist quality paper. They are on newsprint and I have yet to learn the lesson, always use good paper! ; )

three sisters

$100 - 6x6" original oil painting on 1"deep wooden panel 

Light bouncing through glass always creates wonderful patterns on the table. This is another one from the little colourful glass bottle collection.​
Details -

twinkle

$80 - 6x8" original gouache on archival grey paper

I'm very happy with this piece - I caught her lovely twinkle. : )

Portraits - Strathmore Toned Blue Paper

$80 - 6x8" original gouache painting on acid-free quality paper.

The 6x8" Strathmore Toned Blue Paper is just great for gouache. It really makes the colours pop! Especially when I leave it as the mid-value. A lot of people ask me about it's durability but it's 184lb paper. It's thick, like card stock. And it's acid free. Love it and highly recommend. 

enlightened

$80 - 8x10" original gouache portrait

I painted this in a class where fellow artists and I sit for each other for 25mins. The person keeping track of time calls out how much time in left every once in a while, so the painters know they gotta paint fast! The 25 minutes flies by when you're painting, but when you're the sitter, hearing how much time you have left to sit perfectly still is quite a struggle! Unlike the painters, the sitter feels time is going super slow. It's a crazy juxtaposition.

This model managed to find a relaxed zone which created her soulful expression. I think I captured it! : )