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!

2 weeks today!

There are a few spots left in my upcoming portrait workshop. It's here in Toronto, in the Finch and Bathurst area. I've been busy making lots of handouts and I'll be doing demos in watercolour and gouache. I'm super excited about it. All levels and materials are welcome

Contact Adele at wgaworkshops@gmail.com if you're interested. Only $60!!

Willowdale Group of Artists

11x14" - watercolour

At the Willowdale Group of Artists we gather in groups of three, all at one table, to paint each other. Setting up this way means we are sitting VERY close to one another. No where else do I draw so close to the subject. It's makes one a bit self-conscious, but it also forces one to really look! It's great. This painting is one of my new favourites.

7th out of 60!

I am thrilled to announce that my blog... this blog(!), received 7th place out of 60 watercolour blogs. Super Duper Happy about it. : )

Here's the LINK to check it out. There are lots of wonderful watercolour groups and individual artists on the list. I'm still going through them all! Very inspired. 

Willow dale Group of Artists Portrait Session

On Tuesday nights, at the Willowdale Group of Artists, the artists pose for each other for 40 minutes each (two sessions of 20). It's a great way to get lots of portrait practise so, if you belong to an art group, I highly recommend this approach. : ) 

Very happy with this one. Just had to touch up the bottom of his beard with pencil line when I got home.

reading material

$60 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

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

close ups-

hidden memory

SOLD

$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'

SOLD

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

$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

going out for dinner

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

These two cuties are heading out to their favourite restaurant! ; )

close ups-

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. ; )

snookums

SOLD

Well, I think this little fella speaks for himself!

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

lilac-breasted roller bird

sold

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!

sunny disposition

SOLD

You can always count on Sunflowers to brighten up the day!

Thank you to all those that came out to the group art show yesterday. Super successful thanks to art enthusiasts and warm weather!

$60 - 8x10"painting

two for you

$80 - 8x10"painting

This is the demo that I painted for the lovely Mississauga Art Club. The Iris is a flower with such a magnificent shape, a real joy to paint.

Sketching Sidney

I heart donkeys!! They are a bit rough around the edges, kinda unpredictable and they might even dare to bite you. So cute!!

CLICK HERE to see more animal sketches on my flickr page.

take centre stage

$80 - 8x10"painting

Here is the Watercolour Demo I did last night for the lovely Willowdale Group of Artists. Biggest crowd I've ever painted in front of, with about 40 people. Lots of positive feedback. Thank you so much to all the member who came out to see me for the first meeting back this year!