slender elegance

5x7" original watercolour painting with 8x10" acid-free mat

Our figure painting model was just lovely today. She had such a subtle slender elegance. Drawn with a strong contour pencil line, then warm red and cool green watercolour added.

milk n' berries

SOLD 

$40 - 5X7" original oil painting on board

These awesome strawberries were bouncing light and reflections all over the place! ; )

honey bear n' berries

OIL - 5x7"original oil painting on 1/8" gessobord

HAPPY EASTER from Honey Bear!

sparkly

$200 - 6x12"original oil painting on board

I painted this bright 'sparkly' model at last week's portrait session. Her hair was so cool, and fun to paint. Again, not sure why but, I love this long thin board size for faces. It gives everyone a kind of graceful long look. ; )

brain food

SOLD

$40 - 5X7" original oil painting on 1"cradled board

When we were kids we loved smarties, or as we called them, brain food! I still love them. They're not only tasty but also fun to eat, sorting by colour and sharing. I still eat the red ones last ; ) 

Painting sides are painted a lovely purple to match the background colour.

pool party

SOLD

$40 - 5X7" original oil painting on board

I painted these fruity friends with lots of loosey-goosey brushstrokes and topped them off with dabs of hot pink! #superfun

triangulate

$60 - 5.5x7.5" original watercolour painting

The dynamic shapes that the human figure can make, especially when you aim for design, are always a unique pleasure.

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.)

music dude

8x10" original oil painting on a 1" deep wooden cradled panel

I am very happy with the likeness I captured of this model, who is a real music buff, hence the title. ; )
It's a new challenge for me to block-in a painting with shapes, as opposed to lines, as I have done with watercolour for years.

 I cropped the model's head out of the shot for his own privacy... although you can see what he looks like from my painting! Haha...

After a 3 hour session, I was pretty happy with the painting. Just a little touch up back in studio (hence the different easel). I only spent about a half hour on it  to keep the freshness of the life session. 

piece by piece

SOLD

Let me first say how much I love this 6x12" size for portrait. I chose it on a whim as I was heading out to Don Valley Art Club's portrait session and I'm sure glad I did. Especially once I saw this awesome model. I took one look at his long beard, then my long canvas, and thought... perfect!

Below is a pic of my pochade/paint box hard at work. : )

Here's a close up. The oil painting is actually on a 1" deep cradled board for easy hanging. This oil painting experience was definitely a break through for me!

Aries - The Warrior Ram

6x8" original watercolour painting

Happy Birthday to all the Aries out there. The Warrior Ram is the first sign, one of confidence and independence. This Zodiac sign, from late March to April, is often described as 'fiery'!

missed you

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

Well, I've been dabbling in oil and gouache and I gotta say, I've sure missed watercolour. It's been fun experimenting and I've learned loads, but I'll always return to this beautiful, clean, expressive medium. This charming little set up seemed like the perfect arrangement as we near spring! : )

through and through

5x7" original oil painting

Viridain Green paint is always a pleasure to use because it's a very relaxed pigment. It's not that strong a colour and it's got a cool temperature. I used it for the lighting on the side of the model's face. I really enjoyed warming up this painting with lots of oranges and reds for contrast. : )

first oil portrait

 

$100 - 5x7" original oil on 1" wooden panel with purple edges (see pic below)

Well, this is my first OIL portrait. I've painted with oil. I've painted portraits. But never together! The lower lighting on the model was just fantastic. Phew. Now, onto a second.

side by side

 

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

I thought it would be nice to bring in the month of March with a couple of lovely orange blossoms. And, a third painting with one of my new colourful vases. I just love them! 

Here are a few detail pics.