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!

zone

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

This model was so gracious. It's funny, models can be perfectly still and be in their own zone but still be giving so much energy to the artists.

#OneWeek100People2019 Challenge

The challenge started today! So, off I went to life drawing class with pencil in hand.

I always try to capture one good little pencil portrait for my sketchbook. 

Below are some gesture drawings. I added the artists... (I have to get to 100 somehow!)

The challenge was started by Marc Taro Holmes, a wonderful fellow urban sketcher and awesome artist. Below are a few of the 2 minute gestures. 

Anyone can join in the fun. Give it a go, see the facebook page and hashtag it #OneWeek100People2018 

That's 22 people sketches. (Let's agree that drawing the same person counts.)

whisps

$60 - 4x6" original watercolour on 90lb paper with 8x10"mat

One of my favourite models! I painted this at my last life drawing session. It's small, which I think enhances it's lovely delicacy. I seem to enjoy painting small. I prefer paintings to find their way into the nooks and crannies of a home, as opposed to over the couch or mantel. : )

Here's a detail -

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.

The Challenge of Portrait

 9x12" original watercolour painting

Well, this portrait was a tough one. 
The spot light on the model put his face half in shadow, so the darkness fell right down the middle of him. I didn't want to wash out the right side completely, (although that can be very dramatic.) I almost left the piece as a pencil drawing but, I still had 2 hours left of the 3 hour portrait session and leaving it felt a bit safe. So, although the pencil drawing was a really good likeness, I got out my watercolours and tried to find some balance in it. 
I learned A LOT with this one and I think I'm a bit closer to where I want to be with portraits... The struggle continues, happily. ; )

Payne's Gray

Drawing with a charcoal pencil then adding Payne's Gray was a new approach for me yesterday. I was at my weekly life drawing session and thought I would give this combination a try. I love Payne's Gray however artists stay away from it because it doesn't blend well. But it's such a lovely gray! So, I decided, the heck with it, and I purchased Winsor Newton Artist quality Payne's Gray. 

Well... it doesn't blend nicely. It's sticky and doesn't want to cooperate. I'm happy with my results but it was a real struggle. 

Also, after spending money on the artist quality stuff, it turns out I much prefer the Cotman student brand of Payne's Gray. It's a lot less of a "pains gray". 

; )

pensive in pink

11x14" original watercolour

Today's model has a very intense pink sweater on. So, I used good 'ole "opera pink", which is a wonderfully hot pink. I added the same colour in the background, her hair and in her cheeks to balance everything. She was so still and pensive! Wonderful model. 

subtle beauty

$80 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

Tuesday night's model at life drawing was so lovely. I hope I captured her subtle beauty. 

Also... I will be at the Don Valley Art Club Show opening night at Todmorden (Toronto) this Wednesday May 2 from 7-9pm. Come by and say Hi. 

Here's the info...

Figure Drawing with Conte!

quick gesture with dark brown conte on newsprint

sienna conte for a quick portrait gesture 

20 minute figure study

20 minute portrait study

1.5 hour pose in conte with white pastel

The model at yesterday's life drawing class was just sensational. I had never drawn him before and a new model is always a treat. He had a really interesting face and he kept very still. Instead of my usual watercolour, I decided to use conte, a tool that allows for big loose strokes (lots of freedom!) and 11x15" newsprint, for it's smooth and unintimidating qualities. Lots of fun. 

Now, back to my anatomy books to brush up!

orange glow

$80 - original 8x10"watercolour painting

This lovely life model had a beautiful stillness about her, that I hope I captured. I was a bit nervous when I chose the lime green contrasting background but now I'm glad I went for it. ; )

Monday's Model

SOLD

$80 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

Yesterday's model was just lovely. It was our first week back in the new year and it was a great way to kick things off. Here are a few details of her portrait and hair. Hair is tricky! Big brush, confident strokes and leave it alone! ; )

Portraits at Todmorden Mills Gallery

The Don Valley Art Club show at Todmorden Mills Gallery ends this weekend. Last chance. ; ) 

We spent our Sunday portrait session at the Gallery instead of our usual studio. It was wonderful and challenging to be in this new setting. The space includes an auditorium so, during intermission, many of the audience members wandered past us as we plugged away at our 25 minute portrait sessions. It was great to combine all the arts together. The Don Valley Art Club is my faaaaaavourite art group in Toronto!

the last short pose

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

It's tricky not to get carried away with a portrait when doing a figure study. I concentrate on the shapes of the face, and not details. That way, the whole piece balances. I think I still caught a subtle expression on her face within the loose style. ; )

shazam t-shirt

 I finally remembered to take photos of my watercolour process. I drew him with a 6B pencil, which allows for a dark and light contrasty line. I drew him as quickly as I could while still watching for accuracy.

 I always start the drawing and the painting with the face. It seems I need to get that down first before the rest can follow.

 I like emphasizing shadows on the floor to really ground the figure. Without them, the person can look like they're 'floating'.

12x16" - original watercolour painting

Here's the finished product. I did his portrait first (last post) then, realizing how cute his t-shirt was and how interesting his seated body language was, I decided to do this much looser full figure.
And finally, here is a close up of it.

walking man

11x14" original watercolour painting.

I painted this portrait yesterday at a Sunday Painting Workshop. The model went for walks during his break, (every 20 minutes) because it was such a lovely day. So, he returned for each sitting with his cheeks slightly pink. : ) He wore a pink/red shirt so, it all went together nicely.
Here are two more photos, of the drawing and one of the model in the background.