take a long lunch

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

I'm thrilled to be back at it with my cafe moments. I drew this on site during my lunch break. It's almost like 'train of thought' writing, where you just write without editing yourself. I draw as quick as I can, (before the customers get up and leave!), without overthinking it. Just let the line go go go! 

The works become like diary entries.

Here's another pic - 

I drew with the Jumbo 9000 Faber-Castell 6B pencil, my new fave. 

in thought

$100 - 8x10"original watercolour painting.

One of my favourite models, I love her classic thoughtful look.

I made a quick slide show of the painting process for this portrait, which you can see on my Instagram page!

little field friend

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

Despite the freezing rain here in Toronto, this little field friend is enjoying his warm backyard.  

This is the first time I've drawn and painted a mouse. I couldn't resist painting his super cute little pink nose. I welcome any excuse to use hot pink since, besides flowers, I don't get to dip into it much. : )

a new path

$60 - 8x10"original watercolour painting.

I was inspired to paint this after a wonderful demo by the talented artist Art Cunanan at Banbury Club. It's on cold-pressed paper which offers up the potential for lovely washes. It's great. I've been using hot-pressed paper for it's wonderful paint vibrancy however, it doesn't give a nice wash like cold-pressed. Hence, a new path! 

spring circle

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

These friends are enjoying early spring! 

I chose white flowers because I was in the mood for a dark background. And I added a few cherries to keep them company. 

; )

towards the sun

 

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

I think I'm starting to like yellow... : )

It's a difficult colour in watercolour and it doesn't have the value range of other colours, but it certainly suits the arrival of spring. 

spring over to the purple side

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$60 - 5x7" Original Watercolour Painting with 8x10"mat, ready to frame!

These are the same flowers as yesterday only from a different angle. : ) 

The awesome Lisa Daria, whose dailypainting workshop I hope to take in August, talks about the importance of daily painting and just 'showing up for the job' of being a painter. Not an easy task... For some reason, with the arrival of spring, I've been even more inspired by her working method than I already was! 

old soul and slide show!

click on arrow for 10 second slideshow. : )

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$120 - 11x14" Original Watercolour Painting

I just discovered this awesome app called Slide Show, which creates exactly that. So, while painting this beautiful German Shepherd, I took photos of my progress. I just kinda eyeballed it as far as making my photos all the same size.

It's a super easy app to use, it allows you to save the slide show in iPhotos, and then simply upload it to Instagram, Blogs and Facebook. : )

burst out

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

These pink and green friends are determined to fight the winter blues and show off their lovely colours and shapes.

Actually it's kinda sunny outside, here in Toronto, but still chilly. Perfect to work in my studio with natural light. Cheers!

Bendy Straw-Berry

$60 - 6x9"original watercolour with 9x12" mat.

It's a long weekend. Yippee and Yummy!

I hope you all find some creative time this weekend.

Cheers.

winter walk

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$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat. Ready to frame!

One of my favourite streets. I've walked it many many times and watched it change dramatically through the variations of the seasons. But, the trees are always there, standing proud.

cascade

$100 - 9x12"original watercolour painting

Well, good 'ole watercolour, always demanding a big decision for the background. At least that's the challenge for me. I left the top right corner free of the wallpaper pattern and I'm very happy with the negative space. As always, the hair was a treat to paint! ; )

winter friend

$80 - original 8x10"watercolour painting

This red fox is showing off his distinctive dark pointy ears and lovely long profile. : )

subtle style

$60 - 6x9"original watercolour painting with 9x12"mat

The reference for this painting was from the awesome sktchy app. It is a wonderful free source that has lots of portraits to choose from. Check out the home page of paintings and then just swipe right to see the original photo. It's very inspiring and really cool to see what artists have done. : )

February's Flower

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat, ready to pop into a frame!

February's flower is the lovely purple violet. A fresh small flower for a fresh cool season.

burst

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

A burst of flowers for the end of January. Already anticipating spring...!

little friend

 $60 - 8x10" original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.
Ready to frame.

It's the Year of the Dog. What a wonderful excuse to paint this soulful eyes of this little Daschund.
Here's a close up - 

orange glow

$80 - original 8x10"watercolour painting

This lovely life model had a beautiful stillness about her, that I hope I captured. I was a bit nervous when I chose the lime green contrasting background but now I'm glad I went for it. ; )

sharing a piece of chocolate cake

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

It's the holidays! I spent my first afternoon off at a cafe, drinking a hot chocolate and drawing some people. These two lovely women took a break from shopping to share a piece of chocolate cake. : )

purple tresses

 $80 - original 8x10" watercolour painting
I've been experimenting with my new Fude fountain pen. It's got a bent nib!

The nib allows you to move sideways across the paper with a thick strong line. It's actually quite heavy to hold, but it's wonderful. I got it on amazon. It's called The Duke.

The ink I used was not waterproof, so it's a bit tricky adding watercolour. It's from Scriptus '17 which is a Pen and Writing show held every year here in Toronto. The Confederation Brown was this show's handmade specialty ink. It's beautiful. It's olive green when drawing with it then a slight brown warmth emerges when it gets wet. Lovely stuff.

I believe waterproof ink in a fountain pen can cause it to clog up the nib, due to the shellac that is in it (which makes it waterproof). So, it was challenging to add water and colour to this free flowing ink. Fun though.

I got the photo ref from the awesome app called Sktchy.