older and wiser

   $60 - 6x8"original gouache painting

A friend told me that she could see in my latest gouache portraits that I was really enjoying painting with gouache. I was thrilled with that comment, and she's right! I do love painting with it. Watercolour is awesome but sometimes it's nice to apply some thick paint.  ; )

Here's my set up. I use the same air tight (pretty much) palette that Lena Rivo uses. Check her out on Instagram if you're interested. Her gouache paintings are awesome.

Here's a close up. Trying to let lots of colours blend together, just like watercolour.

It's nice to look at the painting in black and white, to make sure the values are working together. 

I am now a firm believer that working with a different medium (gouache) for a while really enhances your knoweldge of your usual medium (watercolour). It's really informative to be able to make comparisons. : )

sam's scarf

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6x8" original gouache painting with 8x10"mat

I loved painting this portrait. I went for it with bold colour, including lots of opera pink paint! 

it's a new year

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

The way the holidays fell this year, it seems like there's nothing but time! Time to paint. I'm enjoying switching between watercolour and gouache. I think the change helps me understand each of them better... make sense? : ) 

p.s. this painting has a nice white border around it. 

at home together

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

These two make a cute couple. : )

Gouache Portraits

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$150 - 5x7"original gouache painting in warm brown 8x10" wooden frame.

Here are my latest two gouache portraits. I'm very happy with the one above.  Since it's from a photo from the sktchy app I had more time to spend on it (compared to our 25min sittings at the art club.)

There's a slide show of this one on my Instagram page if you want to check it out!

heading home with Saturday's shopping

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

I'm really enjoying painting this 'Toronto People' series. Everyone is so interesting! ; )

chap with his cap

$60 - 5x7"original watercolour painting with 8x10"mat
Check out my online Gallery - https://bit.ly/2CKAgEf

Well, it was hat day at our weekly Don Valley Art Club Portrait Session today. By a fluke really, many of us artists who sit for each other for 25 minute poses, ended up with a hat on. : )

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. 

; )

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.

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 - 

january's flower - the carnation

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

Happy New Year. 

January's lovely flower is the carnation, a wonderful soft flower to bring in the new year. Wishing you all a healthy and creative year.

poison!

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$60 - 7x5"original watercolour painting with 8x10"acid-free mat!

Well, Inktober Day 3 and the prompt word is poison! Since I'm on an animal kick I thought this spotted creature was a good choice. Careful... he's angry! 

; )

horse gestures

Having a blast with pencil, drawing these horse gestures! I spent some time reviewing horse anatomy, from one of my favourite animal drawing books by Jack Hamm called "How to Draw Animals". Then, with the help of free images from pixabay, I drew as many as I could, as fast as I could. : )

walking man

11x14" original watercolour painting.

I painted this portrait yesterday at a Sunday Painting Workshop. The model went for walks during his break, (every 20 minutes) because it was such a lovely day. So, he returned for each sitting with his cheeks slightly pink. : ) He wore a pink/red shirt so, it all went together nicely.
Here are two more photos, of the drawing and one of the model in the background.

hanging out on Sunday

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

Well, I think the title says it all.

ponder

$100 - 8x6"watercolour painting

For this piece I used pencil, watercolour and my fingernail. ; )

cheerful model

11x14"watercolour painting on paper

Tuesday's Portrait Session went very well thanks to our very patient and cheerful model Jerry.  Once I brought the piece home and looked at it, I decided to add a bit of orange to the background to balance his shirt. Plus, I added some splatters, of course!

Portrait of Frank

Well, this portrait is a bit more of a 'traditional' way of using watercolour since I built up washes. It's not the way that I normally work but I'm very happy with it.

6x9" watercolour painting

Don Valley Art Club Portrait... still at it!

I've now painted our Don Valley Art Club organizer three times. Every portrait of him looks different. I've posted all three if you scroll back and look, (Aug 23rd and 14th... although you might not be able to tell!) He's got a great expressive face and, although I'm happy with all of the paintings, each captures a different aspect of him.

11x14" watercolour painting.