portrait on blue and 'table easel'

Here's my latest 6x8" original gouache painting on Strathmore toned blue mixed media paper, which I told you about in my last blog post. I love it. The blue paper (really a cool gray) certainly helps the lighter colours pop.
Also, here are a few pics of my new paintbox and painting materials. 

I just bought this cute little 12x10" decorative suitcase. It's perfect as a table easel and the lid stays propped open.

 

Here it is, fitting all my supplies perfectly. It's about 3"deep. I've been looking for a table easel and this one is a lot more fun, and practical, than the wooden ones. Most importantly, I can balance it on my lap for painting outdoors. 

I've got a pad of 5x7"paper resting in the 1" deep lid, gouache paint kit, water container, paper towels, brushes and a gray paper palette for mixing. Since the lid is 12x10", it fits an 8x10" pad too. (That's just a piece of foam core board behind the paper). Perfect!

living amongst the trees

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

I spent the day at the wonderful High Park here in Toronto, plein-air painting with a friend. We had a great day amongst all the green (!). Can you spot the little duck swimming by. There were lots of them keeping up company. : )

Making progress and trying to keep the greens interesting and true. The house is there... it's just 'amongst the trees', hence my title. : ) 

My little paintbox has served me well over the years. Placed on my lap as I work, it includes my palette, brushes, pencils, water container, a compact mirror (to look at the painting in reverse) and a rag clipped to the right side. It's just great!

paint box

I've been doing a lot of urban sketching/plein-air painting with my trusty little paintbox. : ) It fits my Winsor & Newton travel watercolour palette perfectly and I can clip watercolour paper, up to 9x12", onto it. : ) It sits on my lap while I sit on a cheap aluminum camping stool. A lot more discreet and lightweight than a big easel.