colour pop

  $60 - 5x7"original gouache with 8x10 mat.

Work Small, Learn Big! I think this credo is soooo true for artists. Sunday portrait sessions at the awesome Don Valley Art Club are starting to pay off with many small studies. I like small paintings, they warm up the nooks and crannies of the home. : )

button

$60 - 5x7"original gouache painting

Well, I'm plodding along with gouache. I haven't given up on watercolour, that's for sure, just shakin' things up a bit. A couple of these portraits have gotten a bit too pink... I'll have to watch out for that.

p.s.

I did enjoy painting that little button. : )

Gouache Portraits

SOLD

$150 - 5x7"original gouache painting in warm brown 8x10" wooden frame.

Here are my latest two gouache portraits. I'm very happy with the one above.  Since it's from a photo from the sktchy app I had more time to spend on it (compared to our 25min sittings at the art club.)

There's a slide show of this one on my Instagram page if you want to check it out!

early holiday shopping

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

This little critter can't help getting some early holiday shopping done. Berries for everyone!

subtlety

6x12" original watercolour painting

Here's another piece from my last portrait painting session, where we artists take turns sitting for each other. (It's surprisingly difficult to sit still for 25 minutes! If you try it, you'll have a whole new respect for life models.) 

I wanted to tie in the red shirt with the red glasses. I'm really happy with her expression but I'm feeling that the 6x12" size might just cut off people's shoulders, giving them a big looking head!

our fearless leader!

6x12" original watercolour

At our portrait session last weekend, I decided to create 6x12" paintings. Mostly because I had paper that size and I wanted to use it up. ; ) I drew a loose energetic line with charcoal pencil then added lots of fresh watercolour paint.

On most social media, like Facebook and Instagram, you can only post pics as a square. So, here's the complete painting.

free rein

SOLD

$80 - 8x10" original watercolour painting.

This fella' speaks for himself.

catching up on some thinking

 

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

It's always nice to sit with a cup of tea and catch up on some thinking. Or in my case, some drawing... ; )

a couple of portraits

Two 11x14" watercolour pieces (with a couple of details) from my last life painting session. : )

today at life painting

 1 minute gesture painting

 2 minute gesture painting

5 minute painting

First day back at life painting! Here are a few paintings from today, of my favourite model. I used charcoal pencil to draw, added green and warm/cool reds, then a splash of turquoise. I tried to stay loose and as gestural as possible. Soooo fun. If you haven't tried drawing from life, I highly recommend it. You never know what might happen when you're under the time pressure.

a good read

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

It was so nice to see someone reading a book at a local cafe this morning. Instead of having their nose in their phone. When I first started drawing I captured people reading all the time. Now, it's a rare treat.

climb

SOLD

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

Not sure how this pic ended up so angled... but here's my drawing in my paintbox which sits on my lap. : )

Good 'ole Winsor Newton travel palette with my choice of tube paints squeezed out. I change and/or add colours as my style changes over the years. Although the warm cool staples remain the same. 

The path didn't go in that direction, but I added it since there was just so much greenery around the base of the little building. I know everyone says green is a difficult colour. Not sure that's true, it's just that there's always so much of it! I decided to call this one 'climb' for two reasons, the little ladder and because the flowers are climbing towards the sun. : )

bunny sip

$60 - original 8x10"watercolour painting 

Little stuffed bunny wants a sip too. ; )

summer boots

$60 - original 8x10" watercolour painting

This dude is enjoying a cold drink on a hot hot day!

first celebrity portrait

9x12" - charcoal drawing with watercolour

Well, as I stated in my last post, I've been working towards getting a likeness while still keeping things painterly. I'm not actually a huge fan of this celebrity (I leave you to guess who it is), he just has an interesting face. In fact, I google 'older men' images and he popped up, so I drew him. It seems easier to tell if I achieved a likeness by drawing people we all know... ; )

portrait sketch

 9x12" original watercolour portrait. 
Lately I've been reading about Frank Reilly's approach to portrait, which is easy to read about it you just google him. It's a good structural way to look at portrait drawing, very informative. : )
Below is the pencil sketch before I started painting.

Seahorse Charlie aka Magic Man

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

Seahorse Charlie aka 'Magic Man': 

Charlie, with eyes wide open, floats through the seagrass beds looking for that special someone. Last week he told you about himself. Well, he's ready to tell you more. Charlie is a professional magician. He can move his chameleon like eyes independently of each other! Also, his camouflage ability enables him to change colours abracadabra. And, he can hold his breath underwater for... a really long time. He could magically be yours, just link up through PayPal. ; )

Seahorse Sally

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

Seahorse Sally: A passionate swimmer, Sally enjoys exploring tropical coastlines, chocolate mousse with real whipped cream and blowing bubbles. She is always seen wearing her favourite, but modest, coronet. Sally will happily reside in any room of your home, perhaps a blue bathroom for a lovely contrast with her warm orange tones. And really, who's bathroom isn't blue. ; ) 

Seahorse Charlie

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

Seahorse Charlie: Shy but intelligent, Charlie likes long swims in the sea, root beer floats and shimmering blue coral. He is hand painted and original, a real one-of-a-kind, who hopes to brighten up your days for a lifetime. Charlie is looking for a long term relationship with a serious art lover... like yourself. ; )

companion

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

I really enjoyed painting this patient little companion, with all his warm browns and oranges contrasting some cool blues. What a little honey bun!