Back to Life

Today I went to a drawing marathon from 10 am to 4 pm.
The model used some props...

A rope that hangs from an overhead bar...

A box...

And a shovel...

Finally, a little scenario.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful day at the studio!

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how far is it?

I tangled a zentangle.

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toodles

THIS PICTURE IS TO SCALE! 2.5"x3.5"

I had a wonderful week doing artist trading cards. Thank you Gloria, Carlene, Sarah, Lyn and Dan for the wonderful trades! I'm looking forward to getting my mail!

TRADED

p.s. people have asked about my line. It's a 1.3mm mechanical pencil from the art store - no sharpening : )

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Yikes!

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I better watch my step... I'm getting addicted to these little ATC's. (Actually, he's suppose to be running but he looks like he's leaping, which is fine 'cause that's way cuter!)

TRADED - 2.5"x3.5" watercolour painting

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off and running

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I'm off and running with these artist trading cards. Perhaps I'll do 2 more and just finish off the week with them.

TRADED  2.5"x3.5" watercolour 

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tea and a cookie

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These artist trading cards are fun.

TRADED - 2.5"x3.5" watercolour

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side street

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My first Artist Trading Card! ATC's are 2.5"x3.5" and are traditionally traded. Inspired by this weeks Daily Paintworks Challenge.

TRADED - 2.5"x3.5" watercolour

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arrive upon

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I've always been curious about using black watercolour paint and when I saw Holbein's "peach black", it sounded so good I just had to try it. Turns out it's very similar to ivory black...

$50  6"x9" watercolour painting

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hey sleepy head

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I had a sudden urge to draw and paint a bear.

$50  5"x7" watercolour painting

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no matter how you slice it

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I miss doing still life and well, this is one way to slice an orange.

$50  6"x6" watercolour painting

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past the purple tree

SOLD

The little tree down the street is in bloom.
$70  8"x10" painting 
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Happy Canada Day!

I've discovered that flag studies are just as challenging, and fun, as figure studies. I drew these from the window of a second floor coffee shop. Happy Canada Day!

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cul-de-sac

Well. This piece changed a million times as I painted it. What a battle! But, I like it.

$70  8"x10" watercolour painting - Zoom In Here!

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the great outdoors

SOLD

Today's outdoor cafe moment. I sat at a patio table and worked a little bigger than usual. Had a blast! Happy Sunday Sketches!

$50   6"x9" watercolour painting.

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don't over think it

The spontaneity of life drawing is so wondrous. When you only have 20 minutes to finish a painting it turns out completely differently than if you had lots of time to think about it.

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

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portrait of a girl

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This is the same model from Tuesday night's life drawing session. Now you can actually see what she looks like!

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

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life drawing studies

Last night's life drawing class. I worked with a 6B pencil and then added cadmium red and mineral purple to these 5 minute poses. I think I prefer them with a little bit of wild splatter (top one), it compliments the gesture aspect.

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the usual suspects

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More motorcycles! I was very drawn to (no pun intended) the shadows the wheels made.

$50  5x7" watercolour painting with 8x 10" mat.

Art Show!

Our group art show went great today! There are about 20 artists in the show and we had a nice constant stream of visitors. The venue we use has wonderful high windows, 4 long walls and we set up cool colourful stands in the centre. I sold three paintings and a bunch of hand painted cards, including these two.

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Beans

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I drew this while walking down the street (looking for more motorcycles to draw actually!) and when this little pup passed me, I decided his name was Beans.

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

Happy Birthday Blog!!

My Blog is 1 year old today! Yippee! I thought it fitting that I give my blog a makeover as I forge ahead into the second year!!

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sit back and relax

$50 - 5x7" painting with 8x10" mat.

I painted these motorcycles on site with my paint box on my lap. They caught my attention as they sat there, all in a row, waiting for me to paint their portraits.

bowled over

SOLD 

I love painting cherries! This one is for the Daily Paintworks Polka Dot Challenge.

$40  6"x6" watercolour painting

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May Lilies

SOLD

I'm stating the obvious here but flowers are such incredible things! 

8"x10" watercolour painting

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Thanks paintanddrawtogether!

Kaila

When I get home from a life drawing session there is always a question of whether or not I should touch up my paintings. But I always decide not to since the painting experience for each piece is over now. It was done from life and it should remain so.

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Yeah, we'll do lunch.

SOLD

Raccoons are so friggin' bold!

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

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Happy Victoria Day

Painting this was such a battle! The Queen Victoria statue here in Toronto is actually black. The plan was to make her look like a statue, but all that dark bronze... ugg. So, I made up flesh colours as I went along and, typical of me, I got a little 'colour happy'! 

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photo courtesy Toronto Star

with a splash of milk

SOLD

Another cafe moment. 

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

puzzle pieces

SOLD

I drew this at a cafe and then painted it once I got home. Since people move so quickly, I draw them one at a time. I finish drawing them just as they zoom off. Then I wait for the next person to come along, figure out where to put them in the composition, then draw them quick before they go. I wait for the next person, see where they fit in, and draw them quick. It's like putting people into the puzzle of a drawing! It's a great challenge.

$50 - 5"x7"painting with 8"x10"matt

shortcut

Plein-air painting is a blast!! It's so challenging. I did a few paintings today with my new little box on my lap. It stays propped open and it holds everything perfectly. From a distance it just looks like I'm working on a laptop.

$40  5"x7" painting includes 8"x10" matt

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portrait of David

Today's Sunday life drawing portrait.

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baby elephant cards

good morning

good afternoon

good evening

SET OF 3 CARDS AND ENVELOPES

I'm in a group art show next month and we sell hand painted cards. The Strathmore Cards are great. Just slip your painting into the precut sleeve and it includes little sticky tabs so they stay put! 5"x7" Card and Envelope.

SOLD

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Amanda

The awesome life model Amanda.

SOLD

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and back again

The ride home.

$70  9x12

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on the way there

A contour line drawing done on the Toronto subway.

$70  9"x12"

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life drawing gestures

Back to life drawing. I drew with a 6B pencil and I had a few pools of watercolour at the ready on my palette for these 3 minute gestures.

$90 

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if wishes were horses

I am the Featured Artist at the Daily Paintworks News Blog this week! The interview questions really helped me think about my art, where I am and where I want to go.

SOLD  8x10 painting

back on track

A friend of mine at Trafalgar asked me to sit at their Italy Tour promotional booth and be a  "Venetian painter", like on the streets in Italy. It was so fun! A few people came right up and said hello but mostly they just peeked over my shoulder. 

SOLD

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