Donnybrook Building

6x12" oil painting on 1"panel

After sketching and painting this little building numerous times, I've just been informed by a Riverdale Farm employee that it's called the Donnybrook Building. This is just the bottom half of the building. It was once two stories which kind of explains the small door (that seems to fascinate me). It's believed that farm animals used to live on it. Yep... 'on' it. I'm going to continue investigating the history of this awesome little building. To be continued... ; )

little door

Here's another drawing from Riverdale Farm, with Sepia Prismacolor coloured pencil on newsprint. This time I remembered to take step by step pics along the way. ; )

Prismacolor Coloured Pencils

Some fellow artist and I from, the Toronto Plein-Air Group, met at the awesome Riverdale Farm to do some sketching. In order to take colour out of the equation and get back to basics, I decided to draw with Prismacolor Coloured Pencils on newsprint. 

 I used Sepia because it's a nice warm brown (although it's a bit hard to tell with my location photos). Newsprint is equally good and bad. It's soft so it's lovely to draw on. It 'takes' so many drawing media, like pencil, coloured pencil and charcoal, so nicely. But, it yellows over time since it isn't acid-free. Very  frustrating! So, I'm on the search for a paper than is smooth like newsprint and allows erasing as easily. I guess I'll have to go back to my favourite place... the art store. ; )

 Here's a detail. 

So great to be back out there plein-air drawing. I've only been twice this summer. That'll have to change!

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!

Market Day

$80 - 8x10"painting

I had a fantastic time painting these standing baskets with all the little fruits and veggies in them. I went with the Toronto Plein-Air Artists to Kensington Market for the last Pedestrian Sunday of the year. No cars... well, except for the one parked in the foreground of my painting. 

peaceful morning

5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.

I am very happy with the simplicity in this painting. I wanted to capture the peacefulness I experience while cycling early in the morning.

edge around

SOLD

Back out there! I love painting at the Toronto Botanical Gardens with the lovely ladies, (well... yesterday it was all ladies) from the Toronto Plein Air Group. Here is a pic of my trusty paintbox which sits on my lap. I may try to do this one larger in studio.
$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.