Secret

SOLD

$90 - 5x7" original oil painting on 1/8"panel.

Today's two colour portrait was done with a cool pink and a warm brown. Again I added white, of course, as well as some black for strong contrasts. I'm really liking this limited palette because then I can concentrate on structure and brush strokes. : )

portrait in blue

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6x6" oil painting on1"deep panel

I'm thrilled with the outcome of this portrait in blue. Thanks again to the awesome Sktchy site where people upload photos of themselves to be painted. Cheers Alanna Jewel!

upward

$60 - 5x7" original watercolour painting with 8x10" mat
I loved painting her eyes! And this time I added some greens to the shadows,  instead of using purple as I often do. 
Here are two more photos, including the original charcoal sketch on newsprint. Check out my Instagram account for even more!

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!

tortoise shell glasses and a grey cat

$100 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

I love the way this portrait, or should I say portraits, asks the viewer to move their eyes back and forth from the woman to the cat, to the woman, to the cat, to the woman... well you get the idea. ; )

pigtail buns

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$100 - 8x10" original watercolour painting

I love this hairstyle. Pigtail Buns! So cute.

I posted a sketch study of this same model a few posts ago. 

Sketchbook Portraits

I've been drawing a lot this year, mostly with 6B pencil and some charcoal with chalk. Here are a few 8x10" pages of portraits from my sketchbooks. : ) 

cascade

$100 - 9x12"original watercolour painting

Well, good 'ole watercolour, always demanding a big decision for the background. At least that's the challenge for me. I left the top right corner free of the wallpaper pattern and I'm very happy with the negative space. As always, the hair was a treat to paint! ; )

subtle style

$60 - 6x9"original watercolour painting with 9x12"mat

The reference for this painting was from the awesome sktchy app. It is a wonderful free source that has lots of portraits to choose from. Check out the home page of paintings and then just swipe right to see the original photo. It's very inspiring and really cool to see what artists have done. : )

purple tresses

 $80 - original 8x10" watercolour painting
I've been experimenting with my new Fude fountain pen. It's got a bent nib!

The nib allows you to move sideways across the paper with a thick strong line. It's actually quite heavy to hold, but it's wonderful. I got it on amazon. It's called The Duke.

The ink I used was not waterproof, so it's a bit tricky adding watercolour. It's from Scriptus '17 which is a Pen and Writing show held every year here in Toronto. The Confederation Brown was this show's handmade specialty ink. It's beautiful. It's olive green when drawing with it then a slight brown warmth emerges when it gets wet. Lovely stuff.

I believe waterproof ink in a fountain pen can cause it to clog up the nib, due to the shellac that is in it (which makes it waterproof). So, it was challenging to add water and colour to this free flowing ink. Fun though.

I got the photo ref from the awesome app called Sktchy.

ponder

$100 - 8x6"watercolour painting

For this piece I used pencil, watercolour and my fingernail. ; )

inquisitive

$60 - 8x6"watercolour painting on paper.

I really enjoyed painting this portrait. I think I captured his serious expression.

stage lighting

$60 - 8x6"watercolour painting on paper

Another painting from the fun #sktchy app. The great thing about the app is lots of pics have inventive and original lighting. Lots to learn still!!

: )

in the shade of the summer sun

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

I did this original watercolour painting from a pic provided by the sktchy app. It's an awesome fun app where people provide pics and you paint them. The app has some fun extras, so check it out if you're looking for inspiration!