turquoise scarf

11x14" watercolour painting

I had so much fun painting this one! Especially the turquoise scarf. I had the painting on an easel and let the threads from her scarf just drip down the page. Painting her hair was lots of fun too although, as always, hair is tricky to paint. I try to see the shapes not the strands. 
; ) 

that far right eye...

Well, I know how hard it is to draw the far right eye on a model when you can just barely see it. Next time I'll be sure to adjust my seat to the right for a profile or the left, so I can really see the eye. However, I got so caught up in the lovely shape of the model's hair that I just started drawing. I'm actually happy with it and although the hair may look unfinished, I chose to leave it, and the shirt, this way and I consider this portrait study finished. : )

11x14" watercolour painting

Well, you'd think I'd learn my lesson and shift a bit... but this time I was caught up in the red shirt. I'm happy with this one too and I believe I got the far right eye in proportion. Still, a very frustrating angle...

This time I got rid of the white on the face, starting with a pink and grey wash, let it dry, then focused on the features. : )

9x12" 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.

Don Valley Art Club Portrait

At the Don Valley Art Club, a bunch of artists get together and pose for each other for 25 minutes. The session is 3 hours so I normally do 5-6 portraits a session (depending on whether or not it's my turn to pose that day). By the time I get to painting number 4, I've loosened up and get more carefree. That's what happened with this painting. I like it because I was so relaxed while painting it. It's a bit 'sloppier' which, I think, worked out well for this one. : )

11x14"watercolour painting

in the studio

$160 - 8x16"painting

I'm loving this long horizontal format lately. : )

While waiting for the model to show up for a life painting session last week, it occurred to me that the studio, with all the interesting various chairs, would make a fantastic subject as well as suit the long thin format. So, during the model's breaks, I painted this one. Click image to enlarge. : )

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!!!!

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! 

reading material

$60 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

Newspaper or iPad... whatever suits your fancy. : )

close ups-

hidden memory

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$100 - 8x10"painting

I liked the curve in this creek so, I painted it. ; ) 

I am super happy with the way this piece turned out. I think the purple and pink and balancing nicely. 

a dab will do ya'

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Well, this is the first time I've used cold-pressed paper in years! I always use hot pressed. I'm actually practising with this paper for an upcoming workshop I'm taking with the lovely negative painter Linda Kemp. Looking forward to learning to see shapes better. : )

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

close ups-

arrive

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I recently rediscovered a wonderful colour called Magenta. I say rediscovered because, I had it on my palette years ago and replaced it somewhere along the road. My palette is always changing and putting this lovely purple back into the picture is, so far, great! : )

$100 - 8x10"watercolour painting

orange delight

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$100 - 8x10"watercolour painting

My goal while painting this one was to add a few background items to enhance, but not overpower, these orange beauties. : )

a few close ups...

Portrait Pals

At our last portrait drawing session, we did something new! Instead of one artist volunteering to be the portrait model for the night, we got in groups of three and sat for 30 minutes each. It was great to be able to sit so close to the model. We were all (30 artists) very happy with the new plan. : )

9x12"watercolour paintings

purple puzzle pieces

$40 - 4x6"painting

I painted this wonderful lavender for the Daily Paintworks "Escape the Snow" Challenge. I love the weekly challenge posted on the DPW site, it makes me paint subjects I might not otherwise explore. : )

a night out

$100 - 9x12" watercolour painting

I'm inside today, where it's toasty warm, painting a lovely Japanese influenced still life. I'm anxious for some snow to fall, so I can get outside and do some plein-air painting. There isn't any point painting out there if it's just cold, and no snow. ; )

in earnest

I'll do doing a Watercolour Demo for the North York Visual Artists, here in Toronto, at the end of the month. I will doing a painting of an animal... and so far I think I'll chose a dog. It's a rare subject to see for a demo and I think it will be of interest to the group. Also, this one is 11x14", which is big for me so stickin' with my New Year's Resolution to work bigger. : )

snookums

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Well, I think this little fella speaks for himself!

$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat, ready to frame.

lilac-breasted roller bird

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It's National Bird Day! I chose this colourful lilac-breasted roller bird because it's one of my faves! Both the male and female are this colourful. Also... it just happens to be this year's Pantone Colours of the year, rose quartz & serenity.

$40 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

like one of the family

11x14"painting 

Started on my New Year's Resolution early this year, which is to work bigger! This one is 11x14", which is big for me. I believe I made the same resolution last year, that got me from 5x7" to 9x12"... we'll see where I am by the end of 2016!

sunlit pass

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From the GoTrain to PortCredit for my last watercolour teaching class of the year. The red water-soluble pen creates a random wash that encourages a spontaneous look. 

$60 - 8x10"painting