Sheila in Blue

This piece is from my first session back in portraits. Took a while to find my way again! I'm excited to see where my pursuit of portrait painting will take me this year!

bird's-eye view

SOLD
$40 USD - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat
I saw these two cuties on pixabay, a site that has plenty of awesome free photos to work with, and they just spoke to me. I thought, hmm, I'm in the mood to paint birds. : )

close ups - 

sunny disposition

$60 - 7x5"painting with 10x8"mat

It's always interesting to paint dark colours in watercolour. Here, I decided to contrast some white flowers with a dark vase. I threw the clementines in there for a mid-value. : )
close ups -

at peace

SOLD

$60 - 7x5"painting with 10x8"mat.

I love painting flowers! Trying to see the well defined shapes while keeping the abstract quality of them is always a welcome challenge. These pretty pink ones arranged themselves into the vase so easily, hence the title. : )

close ups here-

sharing

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

I never tire of painting people at cafes. The goal is always to find two people who have interesting body language because they are actually taking and listening to each other, as opposed to people on their computers and phones. Not always easy to find these days.

Hand Studies with Tiggs and Elly

I found some new cute finger puppets which I've named Tiggs and Elly. ; ) This is a continuation of a hand studies series I started some time ago. I'm happy to be back at it. 

: )

Close ups - 

Toronto Watercolour Society - John B. Aird Gallery

Big thanks to everyone who came out to the Toronto Watercolour Society art show last night. The show is on all week! It's at the John B. Aird Gallery at 900 Bay (at Wellesley) until the end of the month! 

sheri's shoulders

Today's life drawing model was absolutely amazing! She is very long limbed and often stood with her shoulders on an extreme angle. Not sure I got them right here, although her left should really was that high... Still very happy with it. : )

shoes on the line

$50 - 6x8"painting

This cold weather has me missing summer... and I always thought these shoes hanging on the clothesline were kinda cute. : )

bearly

$80 - 8x10"painting
For this piece, I toned the watercolour paper with a wash of grey/pink first. I've been wanting to work on toned paper for awhile so, I made it a New Year's Resolution. : )

a flying start

$150 - 11x14"watercolour painting

I decided to bring the new year in with a big still life set up! 

Here are some close ups - 

last hurrah

$80 - 8x10"watercolour painting
Well, this is the last hurrah, or at least the last still life set up for the year. The group I paint with doesn't reconvene until the new year. Hopefully, I'll set up some small still lifes on my own over the holidays. : )
here are some close ups - 

snowy path

$40 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

Finally! Lots of snow for me to paint! I love painting snow, it's nice and 'contrasty'.

Gary with his coat on

Portrait of a friend. 8x10" 

watercolour.

hand in hand

$40 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat ready to pop into a frame.

Here's the drawing I drew while walking down the street. I added lots of watercolour once I got home. : )

past the hot dog stand

$40 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

The walking while drawing sketches are so fun to do. I just draw what I see, impulsively, and hope it works out. Sometimes it does... sometimes it doesn't. Either way the line is nice and loose. At home, I add fresh watercolour.

; )

quiet thought

8x10" watercolour painting

Still pluggin' away and trying to find my place in the world of portraiture!

past the music shop

$40 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

Another walking and drawing sketch with my Micron purple Brush Pen. I really had to keep the wash of watercolour loose to match the line. I love the originality of this kind of drawing.

Willow dale Group of Artists Portrait Session

On Tuesday nights, at the Willowdale Group of Artists, the artists pose for each other for 40 minutes each (two sessions of 20). It's a great way to get lots of portrait practise so, if you belong to an art group, I highly recommend this approach. : ) 

Very happy with this one. Just had to touch up the bottom of his beard with pencil line when I got home.