a subtle hint

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

Things were nice and loosey-goosey when I painted these fresh pink flowers. The turquoise background was a big decision, but I'm very happy with it.

simply there

$60 - 7x5"watercolour original with 8x10"mat - buy online through DailyPaintworks

This family of three lives very happily together. They're keeping an eye out for each other. ; )

a penny for your thoughts

$80 - 8x10"watercolour painting

I love the solemn thoughtful look in this portrait. This piece is a fellow artist who I painted in our Artist Posing for Each Other Painting Class.  : )

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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. 
; ) 

Homework: Eyes, eyes, eyes!

Homework's fun! Well... it is when you do a watercolour page of eyes. 

Actually, in my experience, it's not just the eyes that are so important in portrait painting, it's the mouth. The eyes are round and colourful, so they's interesting and fun to paint. But the mouth... one extra bit of line or colour can change the whole expression of the face. The mouth is tricky. So subtle. I don't think I should shy away from doing a page of mouths next. ; )

Gary with his coat on

Portrait of a friend. 8x10" 

watercolour.

quiet thought

8x10" watercolour painting

Still pluggin' away and trying to find my place in the world of portraiture!

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.

hope so

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More flowers!!

$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.

a look

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

I painted this at my last Life Drawing Session at the Toronto School of Art. The sessions are mostly short poses, which allows me to play around and figure out what I want to achieve. 

last of the summer rain

$80 - 8x10"painting

I drew this while sitting safe and sound, and dry, under a cafe umbrella from across the street.

differences aside

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

Lately I've been working with white objects, mostly flowers, for my daily paintings. The subtle values in the shadows of white are a real challenge. I like adding a strong colour, like the orange here, as a contrast.

calling you over

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I found this cute jam jar at the farmer's market and the next thing I knew... : )

$90 - 8x10"painting

clouds

This little dancer is Tree number 4.

$30 - 5x7"painting.

meet ya' there

Amongst the yellow greens of summer there is always a cool silver tree. Tree painting number 3 of my 7 Day Tree Challenge.

$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.

front yard friend

I've been painting outdoors this summer and since there's so much green out there, I've decided to put myself on a 7 Day Tree Challenge. This is Tree 1.

in the lead

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I painted this at the Riverdale Farm which is a wonderful farm animal zoo. It used to be the Toronto Zoo and they had a polar bear at the end of this path! Hard to believe now. 

$50 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat.

extra napkins

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

First ice cream cone of the summer.

sunny but cool

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

It's been a wonderful sunny but cool summer. I had a blast painting this motorcycles. I just let the red paint ooze all over the place!

So, back outside to paint.

casual occasion

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Painting on a larger size paper is working out much better than I had thought. I don't know what all the fuss was about, hence the title. Also, I'm not sure why, but I do like flowers on a chair.
$120 - 11x14"painting
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