Contour Characters

 

SOLD

I really focused on the model/fellow artist, and not on my paper, for these contour characters drawn during our Zoom Portrait Session. Sometimes I add a splash of burnt sienna for warmth and some cool purple for darks. For the last one, I decided to leave it alone. I love the mirror behind her. Here's a pic of the awesome Lyra 6B graphite stick. I've been 'into' lately. It's nice and chunky! ; )

Oil Portrait Fun!

Oil Portraits on 5x7" panels that were painted during my Zoom Portrait Sessions. It's just been great! Usually there are about 23 of us artists meeting every week and posing for each other on Zoom. The poses are about 20 minutes each. I prep my panels with gesso and a green wash, then I mix a few colours before the session starts. 

The first one, I was suddenly motivate to block in the whole room as loose as I could, and kept the portrait small. Somethin' different...

Latest Portraits!

(see the cat?!)

These are the latest oil sketches I've done... all on Zoom with my awesome Portrait Pals. : ) I call them sketches because the poses are short and the panels are about 7x9". Sometimes I touch them up but often, I leave them alone. They are what they are! : )

Halloween Fun!

 

Another great Zoom Portrait Sessions. WooHoo! I think the whole group of artists, who pose for each other for 20 minutes, are all getting really good. This weekly practise is really paying off. Everyone has improved!! And today, being Halloween, the costumes made things super fun. Happy Halloween Y'all!!

Portrait of Me from a Friend!

Hey, I thought I'd share this watercolour painting that a friend did of me. I just love it! I sat last Sunday at our portrait painting session, for 25 minutes, and I really think she captured me. : )

Portrait Sketch

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

My collection of 6x6 inch portrait paintings is growing. They look cool hanging in 9 by 9 rows. Groups of paintings always ask the viewer to make comparisons that you might not make when looking at only one painting. And, I'm having a wonderful time painting them. ; )

silly serious

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

Here's another one from the day we all got the giggles. You wouldn't know it to look at the painting, but this fellow artist barely sat still with all the silliness happening that day. 😀

The 1" deep sides are painted grey. 

quiet dignity

6x8" original gouache painting on toned paper

The Strathmore toned paper is wonderful to paint on however, for this piece, I decide to darken the background a bit with some lovely purple. I think it helps her white hair 'pop'. ; )

calm

$60 - 6x8" original gouache painting on grey paper

Update - this painting is hanging in a show for the month of February.

It was wonderful to paint from life today. 

Lately I've been working from photos (from the awesome app 'sktchy') and it's a great way to learn. Taking that information and applying it to painting a live model has been the best way for me to progress. Back and forth, from photos to life... so far it fits!

I think I caught the calmness of this fellow artist!

colourful gal

SOLD

$20 - 9x12" original gouache painting on artist quality gray paper. 

It is at a great price because there is a gray paint mark, made by me, in the upper right corner. It doesn't bother me... perhaps it doesn't bother you either. 

Today was spent with lovely fellow artists of the Don Valley Art Club. We held our portrait session at the Todmorden Mills Papermill Gallery, since the club's art show is presently hanging there. The model was fabulous too.

I may have to touch up her eyes a teeny-weeny bit... but otherwise I'm very happy with her. : )

Last Show of the Year!

The Don Valley Art Club Show.... I'll be at the opening reception, which is always a full house and an awesome event! Wednesday Night 7-9pm with 100 artists showing 2 pieces each. I plan to be there on Sunday November 24 too. On that day, we paint from a live model who sits in the middle of the gallery. There's lots of room and extra chairs if you want to bring your sketch book and join us from 1-4pm! Or just come by and say hi!! 67 Pottery Road at the Papermill Gallery, Todmorden Mills, Toronto.

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!

 

twinkle

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

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

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! : )

Hot Pink

8x10" original gouache painting on artist quality gray paper

The model's lovely pink shirt bounced colour into her cheeks, forehead and hair. It was tons of fun painting with Opera Pink which is pretty much the 'hottest' pink around. : )

Harry's Hat

 
$60 - 6x8" original gouache painting
I love it when the model wears a hat. The light, or should I say shadow, ; ) that falls on the model's face is quite a treat to paint.

slight smile

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

My paint box with gouache paints and grey paper palette... and the model's legs. ; )

detail. : )

bushy brows

12x6" original oil painting

Here's my paintbox with lots of white oil paint on my grey painter's palette pad.

Blocking in with yellow ochre and figuring out the shadow side first.

Trying to keep the paint on my grey painter's palette more organized!

Palette eventually gets kinda messy on the right hand side... oh well...: )

And here's a detail of the face. Cheers!

Award of Excellence for Portrait

The Don Valley Art Club Show opening went great last night. Tons of people showed up. Thanks to everyone for all their support. It was wonderful to see all of you! 

I was thrilled and honoured to receive an Award of Excellence in Portrait. There were 15 awards given amongst over 100 paintings. Also, my painting sold. So all in all a wonderful evening!