Thursday, July 27, 2017

treat

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

I saw this scene on my way home, as I was cutting down my favourite little lane. I stopped and drew it, although the man and his dog were long gone, putting them in from memory. They were both so cute. I'm sure the man enjoyed giving his dog the treat as much as the dog enjoyed receiving it. ; )

Monday, July 24, 2017

One Handed Palette and Water Holder!

My new watercolour palette and water cup holder. I saw one of these on Urban Sketchers, so I decided to make my own. : )
I got an inexpensive plastic corrugated board from the hardware store and flipped it over to use the back. I got plastic (not cardboard) so that it's WATERPROOF.
The water cup MUST have a lip on it. (dollar store)
Position the cup where you want it and trace it with a sharpie. Trace the BOTTOM of it! Make sure the hole is smaller than the lip.

I decided to cut a shape for the thumb hole on my palette too. (This is optional if you don't use a thumb hole.) A bulldog clip can hold your palette to the board.
 Ready to cut...
Cut with an X-acto knife. Ready to assemble...
I pushed the cup in only half way. Then added a bull dog clip, just for a little extra reinforcement. : )
 Don't forget the lid!
The space between the cup and palette holds an extra brush. 
All done. And my thumb fits into the hole perfectly so I can hold the board with one hand. This will work perfectly while I stand, or sit, when painting in life classes, urban sketching or plein-air painting. It's nice and light. Can't wait to try it out!
I've left an extra bit on the right so that I can clip a cloth/paper towel there.  Happy Painting Everyone!

Sunday, July 23, 2017

quiet morning

$60 - 6x8" original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.
The Toronto Music Garden is an awesome place to paint. It was designed by the famous cellist Yo Yo Ma! The Don Valley Art Club Plein-Air Painters spent Saturday there. We couldn't go wrong with the boats to paint, the benches to sit on, the shade of the many trees, and the near by Starbucks loo.  ; )
Here is a pic of my paintbox set up. When I got home, I decided to close off the corner of the painting by adding the tree in the top right.
 

Sunday, July 16, 2017

cozy courtyard

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

The Toronto Watercolour Society spent a day plein-air painting at the University of Toronto. Every old historic college has a beautiful hidden courtyard in the centre of it. We happily found this one with a lovely bunch of striking, and proud, red flowers.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Portrait in Progress

11x14" original watercolour
Well, I got half of it painted during my portrait session at Don Valley Art Club. I'm hoping to finish it in studio on Sunday. It's just not the same working on it at home, despite having photos of the unfinished half. 
I really wanted to put the model in context this time, with a few cool props that say 'studio'. I love the statue juxtaposing the model, who was wonderfully still for us. I made his dark jacket white, for some contrast, and for that disco look!! ; )
Here's a photo from the studio-

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

afternoon shadows

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

Friends and I, from the Toronto Plein-Air Group, headed out to paint at Riverdale Farm yesterday. It's fun there however, after lunch we decided to wander across the street to Toronto's historic Necropolis Cemetery. It opened in 1850 and is full of old interesting gravestones as well as huge gorgeous trees. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. 
Below is a pic of my work in progress. I drew it with charcoal pencil then used lots of variations of green!

Sunday, July 09, 2017

pearl necklace

$150 - 11x14" original watercolour painting
This awesome model showed up for my portrait session wearing this great big pearl necklace and turquoise tiara. She was such a pleasure, and challenge, to paint. Below are a few step by step pictures.
The pencil block in really has to be 'right' before proceeding. When I am drawing I just keep measuring and measuring and comparing and comparing. Using horizontal and vertical lines to sort of 'scaffold' my way around the drawing. Almost like using an invisible grid.
I paint from top to bottom. I used cadmium red, cerulean blue and brown umber. I added some rose madder for the purples.
Here's the almost finished painting. I felt happy with her portrait after the three hour session, but I did have to finish the pearl necklace at home. Looking at the finished product now, it may have to be darkened in between the pearls so that the highlights pop. Hmm. Might do that today. : )

Friday, July 07, 2017

a flying start

$150 - 11x14"original watercolour painting

I'm still plugging away at trying to work bigger. : ) This one was a blast to paint. Lots of shapes and colours.

Monday, July 03, 2017

language

$100 - 8x10"original watercolour painting
I love drawing and painting people in cafes. I thought the lights hanging from the ceiling encouraged the perspective. These two friends were talking about learning a language however, the title also refers to people's body language, like the way his head is tilted and the posture of the guy writing in the background. : )
closeups - 

Sunday, July 02, 2017

not sad really

$100 - 8x10" original watercolour painting

The title of this painting is in reference to a conversation fellow artists and I were having during our portrait session. The model always looks so sad, but they aren't really. They're just lost in thought as they sit there, for 20 minutes at a time, having to be perfectly still. 
Meanwhile, I'm practising painting smiles and teeth from photographs since it's the only way to get someone to 'hold a smile'! ; )