WORKSHOP - Watercolour Dog Portraits

JOIN ME! I'm teaching a Workshop at the awesome ArtBarn at 250 Eglinton West (just past Yonge) here in Toronto, on Sunday July 30 from 1-4pm. So, bring along a photo of your furry pup and let's start painting. There will be lots of helpful information about watercolour with dogs as our subject. If you don't have a dog photo... use one of mine! I'll bring plenty of extras. 

Here's the registration link - SOLD OUT

Class Materials Supplied or bring your own. Beginners Welcome. Lots of parking in area on Sundays.

ARTBARN! - WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

SOLD OUT

I am soooo happy to announce that I am now teaching at the Artbarn here in Toronto. The lovely well-lit school is at 250 Eglinton Ave.West (near Yonge). I'll be there on Sunday April 30 from 1-3:30 for a WATERCOLOUR PORTRAIT WORKSHOP. There's lots of parking in the area. Beginners Welcome and Materials supplied! Hope to see you there. 

p.s. Click on Artshow and Workshops above this post to see what's happening next!

Watercolour Classes Jan. 9 - Mar. 6, '23

CLASS IS FULL  

Hello Fellow Artists! To enroll in the Monday Morning Watercolour Classes at Neilson Park Creative Centre in Toronto just email Sharon at - and let her know who you are and that you want to enroll in my Winter 2023 classes. 

The classes start on Jan. 9 and go until Mar. 6th. Desks are 6' apart.

The cost is $200 for 8 classes (#woohoo #gooddeal). 

They are held at 56 NEILSON DRIVE in Toronto/Etobicoke from 9:30am-12pm.

Here's allll the info below - 

Art Show and Sale!

Hello! Long time no post. 😆

I'm in a group art show here in Toronto, at the lovely historical St.Barnabas Church. If you're around on the Friday August 5th from 6-9pm or the Saturday August 6th from 11-6, come by and say Hi! I'll be there both times. And I'll have all new works. So, if you were kind enough to see me at the last show, come by this one too and see more. Over 15 Artists!

I've been doing a lot of outdoor painting this summer. I promised myself I'd get back at so... a few of those will be at the show too.

Cheers and hope to see you in-person soooooon!

A winter walk

 

click PayPal button to purchase

$80 - 5x7" original watercolour and gouache painting. Includes 8x10"acid-free mat.

Sidewalk snow is packed down and ready to tackle after a long snowfall. Mom and daughter happily head out for the day!

kindred spirit

 

SOLD  $90 - 5x7" original oil painting on 1/8"panel.

Well, the bird painting series continues! I think I'm on number 12 and 8 of them have flown off to new homes. I'm especially happy with this little yellow-breasted blue titmouse. He's got his own little branch and he seems quite content. You can check out the time-lapse painting of him over on my Instagram account here - https://www.instagram.com/noramacphailart/ . Cheers. : )

nearby

  

$70 - 6x6" original oil painting with 1" painted sides.

Painting groups don't have to stop painting together just because of a virus. Artists friends everywhere are sharing photo references online and painting from home 'together'! A wonderful group I paint with began doing this. Each week we'll all paint from the same photos, then share our paintings via social media. It's nice to know fellow artists are nearby. 

direction

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

I feel I'm really going in the right direction with this one. We all got the giggles during the portrait session. In fact, there was a bit of a sing-a-long happening! Perhaps the silly atmosphere enabled me to paint without 'thinking'. 

Super happy with this one.

1" deep wooden frame

People's Choice Award!

Well, I'm super duper happy about receiving the People's Choice Award at the Life Drawing Art Show yesterday!! Lots of people showed up, despite the freezing cold, so thanks to all those who came by and said Hi! The ice sculptures happening across the way were a nice surprise to everyone's day!

 Also... I sold one. A fellow artist bought this one during the hanging of the show. It's great to see some red dots. There were about 10 by the end of the opening. 
The show is still happening until March 1st!

Annual Life Drawing Exhibit

Come by this Saturday February 8th!  

Over 20 artists are in the life drawing show.

I'll be there with my three portraits from 1-3pm. 

35 Hazelton Lanes, Yorkville, Toronto.

Cheers ya'll!

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'. ; )

Portraits Workshop - APRIL 25, '20

SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2020!

I'll be teaching a Portraits Workshop here in Toronto with the Willowdale Group of Artists. I'm really looking forward to it. 

Here's the description - 

PORTRAITS

with Nora MacPhail

In this workshop we will explore an approach to portraits using an easy-to-remember way to block-in. This method includes using measurements for finding facial features, as well as using comparisons to find a likeness. Common mistakes and how to improve them will also be reviewed. No more struggling with egg heads and wonky eyes. ; ) 

I will do demos using photographs. Artist will be doing lots of drawing (bring your sketchbooks!) and we will be painting with watercolour. 

CONTACT ADELE - wgaworkshops@gmail.com

MEDIUM - Watercolour (and Drawing Materials).

PHOTOS - Bring your copyright free reference photos of adults (no children - those measurements are different). Try to find photos that are close ups of the head and shoulders with contrasting lighting. I will bring extra photos for participants to work from.

MATERIALS - 

Bring painting supplies you like and what you’re used to. Materials list is attached.

You can check out my work on Instagram at noramacphailart or my online art gallery at -  https://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/nora-macphail-1599

SEE YOU THERE!

snow gate

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

I often walk by this little courtyard with it's lovely archway. It's so cute and the recent snowfall makes it more beautiful than ever. I love how the snow contrasts the little black gate, perfect for pen and watercolour.

sunhat shadows

$200 - 8x8" original oil painting on 1" deep panel

Well, this girl was quite a challenge! I loved exploring the shadows falling over the top half of her face, and balancing it with the lights on her cheeks. Also, I worked with a green and purple palette which created some helpful guidelines. I'm very happy with her!

painted 1" deep sides

Drawing the Bangarra Dancers!!!

 

 

I had an absolutely awesome time with the Toronto Urban Sketchers on Friday. We were invited to draw the Bangarra Dancers, from Australian, as they warmed up the morning of their performance. Then, some of us returned that evening for the actual performance, called "Spirit", which celebrated their 30 years as a dance company. 

I used charcoal pencil and newsprint and just drew as fast as I could! They did not stop moving. Their idea of an hour warm up was a work out like I've never seen. Truly spectacular dancers! Very inspiring. 

Save The Date!

There are TONS of artisans in this upcoming art show, including me! 
November 16 - Saturday only - Free - Save the Date!

Jim's look

6x8" original oil painting on 1" deep board. Painted sides and wire hanger.

Let me just say that the art show this weekend went great! Wonderful visitors, lots of sales and fab weather. Phew! 

I didn't show this painting of Jim since it's still a tad bit wet...

Thanks again ya'll! 

Art Show this weekend!

I'll be there! Both Friday night and Saturday day. Hope to see you this weekend. Be sure to come by and say Hi to me!

PORTRAIT WORKSHOP

Save the Date! 

I'll be teaching An Approach to Portrait here in Toronto next month. It includes demos, handouts/pdfs and your own painting time, all at an awesome price! I'm super excited about it. : )

contact Adele at wgaworkshops@gmail.com

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! : )