can't put it down

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$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

And here's the initial sketch of it.

a step

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Yep. Marcy again. There is a fourth (and last) one of her on my Flickr Page. Tomorrow, onto something new.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour with 8"x10" matt.

a song

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A second portrait from life drawing this week. 

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

fiery redhead

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The self-assured and fun model, Marcy, definitely suits her wonderful red hair.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

inquire within

Yesterday I listened to the wonderful talented Lisa Daria's radio interview over at Artist's Helping Artists.. She is such a hard working and focused artist. A true inspiration! 

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

Riverdale Art Show

Thank you so much to everyone who came to the Riverdale Group Art Show, enjoyed some wine and cheese on Friday, cookies and tea on Saturday, and of course, a lot of wonderful art!

Vine and Art Show

I made a few vine videos... Vine is an app which lets you make a 7 second stop motion video. Sound kooky?! Check out my cafe drawing HERE (the gray square) on my facebook page. You don't need to friend or follow me to see it, although you can!

Also, I'm in the Riverdale Group Art Show this weekend. It's always a lovely show with lots of walk in traffic.

that autumn feeling

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Drawn with a charcoal pencil today at my favourite cafe. Also, loving this fall weather!
$50 - 5"x7"painting with 8"x10"matt.

Here are a few reference pics.

life drawing

5 minute poses

10 minute poses

15 minute poses

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At today's life drawing session I used pencil then played around with Payne's Gray, Cerulean and Yellow on Hot Pressed Paper. It's great to experiment with new colours and still practise my anatomy.

home stretch

 

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I drew this with a charcoal pencil first then painted it with watercolour. The charcoal created a nice rich dark line that I really like and, happily, the charcoal did not smudge or wash out. 

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

that faraway look

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I dropped these two white lilies into a glass and set them aside while I arranged some other flowers to be painted. Then, when I turned and looked at them, I realized they were the ones to be painted, just as they were.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt. 

Ready to be put into an empty 8"x10" frame... that you probably already own!

Lydia's Portrait

In our Portrait Painting Sessions, we take turns sitting for the group. This is the lovely fellow artist, Lydia.

I Spy

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One of my favourite flowers. Poppies.

$70 - 8"x10" watercolour painting.

rainy ride

In my last post, I added a picture of a painting I did on location. Here it is! If you look carefully, you'll see the little dog about to cross the street.

synchronized swimming

I bought some flowers today. Two big bouquets for $10... so I guess it's flower painting this week! Also, I had some fun painting on location. You can see that my portable watercolour palette was originally an eyeshadow case!

keep it simple

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My last painting was very complex, so today I decided to paint a friendly little still life.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt. Ready to frame.

hangin' out

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I had so much fun last time, that I went back to the same cafe and drew some more! This cafe has a cool glass garage door that lifts up and lets the breeze in. It's a little hard to tell from my picture... since it's mostly about the sketch, but it's a beautiful cafe.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

wear two hats

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These friends both enjoyed a Coke and a bowl of soup for lunch!

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

an open book

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Another fellow artist hard at work. 

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

quick on the draw

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When the model's pose isn't to my liking, there is always someone else to draw!

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting in 8"x10" matt.

homeward

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I bought some more hot-pressed watercolour paper today. Yippee!

$50  5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

it's a good life

This little Terrier had a long day at the park.

$30 - 5"x7" watercolour painting.

make time

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I've been painting on hot-pressed paper lately. Due to the smooth texture the paint sits on top of the paper, unlike cold pressed which absorbs the paint slightly. As a result, I think the watercolour keeps it's colour and glows more. I also like the way the pencil glides across this paper. I think I'll stick with it!

$50 - 5"x7" painting with 8"x10" matt, ready to frame. 

12 Across "One _ at a Time"

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This older man sat quite still, in his summer attire, concentrating on his crossword puzzle. Just long enough for me to capture his wonderful character.

Check out my How to Paint YouTube Videos if you haven't already!

$20 - 6"x8" watercolour painting

till next time

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Today's moment. I quickly sketched this young woman as she sat patiently waiting for a text. I'm still enjoying working with the 140lb hot pressed watercolour paper which is a bit like Yuppo, but more manageable.

$50  6"x8" painting with 8"x10" matt.

lion's share

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I just got home from a wonderful trip with my sister to London and Paris! It was just fantabulous. I was especially inspired by the fantastic lush overgrown Highgate Cemetery in London. This sleeping lion is on the grave of the first Zookeeper George Wombwell, then called a menagerist.

expand your horizons

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Wow, that was a real 50/50 split on the suggestions of how to crop this painting. I decided that a few extra people were cuter than a 'not so beautifully painted' sky. Thanks everyone for participating!

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

Which?

Portrait

or Landscape?

I didn't mean for this painting to work both vertically and horizontally and now I can't decide between a nice big sky or a few extra cute pedestrians. Preferences?

Charles Sovek

Charles Sovek's self portrait

Oil by Charles Sovek

Watercolour by Charles Sovek

Charles Sovek (1937-2007) is my favourite artist! His work always looks fresh and spontaneous, never heavy handed. I love the way he captures reflected light. Here's a link to Charles Sovek's Awesome Website, which is chalk full of fantastic paintings. It took me days to absorb all of his wonderful work, his 'Lessons from the Easel' and his 'Speaking of Art' notes. Enjoy, and I hope he inspires you as he does me!

flower shoppe

I'm very happy with this painting. It's funny which ones end up meaning more to me than others...

reflect

This painting just kind of happened...

$50 - 6x8" watercolour painting with 8x10" matt.

the yellow house

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I love this corner house. Every time I walk past it I am inspired by it. I painted this on Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper, just to mix things up a bit. (Also it was on sale!) I like the way the pencil slides easily across the smooth texture, as opposed to the slight grain in my usual Cold Pressed Paper. I'll do a few more and see how it goes...

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

light as a feather

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I enjoyed painting this little analogous backlit bunch. 

$70 - 8"x10" watercolour painting

cheap ship trip

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cheap ship trip... say that three times fast!!

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

with flying colours

This adorable small house caught my eye, and there was a place to sit across the way... Perfect! I'm enjoying working with the Micron 03 and Micron 1 artist pens lately.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt.

when your ship comes in

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I've been wanting to explore painting boats for a long time now. They have great shape and wonderful colours. If you look close, you'll see some cars parked behind the wall back there...

$70 - 8"x10" watercolour painting.

guide the way

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A lovely strong-minded beautiful German Shepherd.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour with 8"x10" matt.

obstacle free zone

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This peaceful scene just caught my eye.

$50 - 5"x7" watercolour painting with 8"x10" matt

July morning shadow

Well, I took a watercolour workshop at the Toronto Watercolour Society with the awesome Janet Rogers, and today I decided to retry her lesson... no pencil drawing first! Just start with your brush. I like the challenge and it certainly encourages a looseness however, given my love of line, think I'll stick with my drawing style. 

Other news, turn your old eye makeup kit into a watercolour palette. Now that's portable!