through the garden gate

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I spent Saturday at the Toronto Botanical Gardens with fellow artists from the Don Valley Art Club. It's a place I've painted at many times before however, this time, I stumbled across a hidden garden archway. I think I'm finally getting the hang of plein-air painting. It's soooo challenging. 
$160 - 8x16"painting
Here's my set up - 

and here's me!

Portraits, Portraits, Portraits!

Another Sunday at the Don Valley Art Club doing portraits of fellow artists. This group is great! We sit for each other for 25 minute sessions. So, we get a lot done. : )

(Click on pics to see one after the other).

I think this one was most successful. The first photo is how it looked after 25 minutes of painting in the studio. Once at home, I added a bit of ear, some hair top right, a bit of purple to the glasses and a bit more green to the shirt. I would like to 'fix' parts of the face however, without the model, I dare not! I'm happy with the freshness of it.

Here's another - 

Again, the first is after 25 minutes of studio painting with the model. At home, I got rid of the blue blob on the top left of her head! Then I barely touched up the eye, which I never did get right since her hair was covering parts of it, but painting her hair was a blast! : ) Finally, I softened her shirt at the neck. Again, I'd like to do more, but not without the model.

I'm very happy with the resemblance of this one! Although I think I made the mistake of painting it in 'pieces'.

Finally, with this last one, I let myself experiment with the shadow side. Lots of purples and blues. I think a male portrait can take a lot more dark shadow whereas a female portrait needs a lighter touch.

Learned lots!!!!

in the park

$60 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat. Ready to pop into a frame!!
Another sketch from the Toronto Music Garden is now painted. I tried to keep it loose and fresh... and "splattery"! 
close ups - 

harbourfront hollyhocks

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Here's one of my drawings from a few posts back, of the Toronto Music Garden, with paint added. I'm very happy with this one. : )
$60 - 5x7"painting with an 8x10"mat.
close ups-

Today's homework - the ear

With all my drawing experience, there's one thing I've been avoiding. The ear! So far I've gotten away with squiggly lines covered with enough hair as not to draw attention to it. Today I thought, while looking through some old drawing exercises from my first art teacher, Mark Thurman, that it was time to have a better understanding of the ear. I think it was time well spent. : )

Don Valley Art Club Portrait Session

I spent the day at the Don Valley Art Club, where we artists model for each other for one 25 minute session each. I managed 4 watercolour portraits and I like this one the best. Great exercise! 

drawing freely!

Recently, I spent some time sketching at the wonderful Toronto Music Gardens. I was inspired by a few wonderful books by the awesome NY artist Veronica Lawlor, about drawing free of judgement, analysis or interpretation. Just take the line for a walk! Google her and check out her work. Her drawings are fascinating.

So, working with a Micron 03 pen, I just drew what I saw as quick as I could.  Here are four more I did.

I really enjoyed this approach, loosening up as I went. Lots of drawings quickly, with no time to think in between. Now, to paint them... : )

morning light

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$80 - 10x8"painting
Back from vacation and into the studio with this simple still life. I love this little water spritzer that I found at a garage sale. I usually can't find anything at sales, but this original watering device caught my eye. I found a glass one too. The morning light, a clementine and a flower seemed to suit it well. : )
close ups-

the evening Bow River

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

Well, this is my first painting on rough watercolour paper! It's wonderful. I felt the subject just called for it. This painting is the beautiful Bow River and one of it's many splinter rivers that it's strong current creates.

close ups-

road trip

The trip to Banff and Calgary was just fantastic!! I had an amazing time. The only painting I did was this one, heading into Banff. Happily, too busy hiking and biking to get any painting done! Perhaps next time. Now, back to the studio. : )