hanging out on Sunday

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

Well, I think the title says it all.

man in plaid

$50 - 8x6"watercolour painting

Since I've been so interested in working on portraits lately, painting fabric with patterns, such as plaid, comes into play. Something I'm really looking forward to exploring in future works. 

: )

whispers

$60 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

I managed to squeeze one more pen and wash painting in for Inktober 2016!

Toronto Watercolour Society Aquavision Fall Show - Bronze Award!

I am very proud to have received the Bronze Award at the Toronto Watercolour Society Aquavision Show today for my "Portrait of Frank!" Super happy about it! 

reach out

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

Love lavender!

here are some close ups -

bow tie Bob

$50 - 8x6"watercolour painting

Still pluggin' away at portraits... : )

star-crossed

SOLD

These two flowers fell into each other as soon as I put them in water, like a couple of star-crossed lovers. ; )

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

Inktober Portrait

The great thing about participating in challenges like InkTober is that it forces me out of my comfort zone. The idea is to work in ink everyday for the whole month. So, while in my portrait session, I blocked in with pencil then worked with a 3 micron pen. I never do that and I may not have tried if it wasn't for InkTober! 

From there, I tried something else I haven't done for awhile, which is one colourful wash from top to bottom, on the shadow side only. This approach often allows for lots of colour!

9x12"painting 

in a galaxy far far away

SOLD

I had a blast painting this one! 

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

ponder

$100 - 8x6"watercolour painting

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

purple pals

SOLD

Here are some close ups of this one - 

end of day

SOLD

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

This little fellow was snooping around the backyard looking for a bite to eat before bedtime!

rise and shine

SOLD

I'm really enjoying these small fresh watercolour paintings of flowers that I've been doing. I'm trying not to overthink anything, not the set up and not the approach, so that they are as light and clean as possible. : )

$30 - 5x7"painting

all patched up

HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANADA!!

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

with confidence

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

This flower stood proud and tall. I think the title says it all!

on the lookout

SOLD

I think I've finally wrapped my mind around the subtly of shadows on white objects. : )

$30 - 5x7"watercolour painting

I want the one at the bottom

SOLD

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

I painted this little cutie from a photo a friend gave me. A bunch of raccoons came and visited his garden. They made themselves at home. : )

inquisitive

$60 - 8x6"watercolour painting on paper.

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

Chester the Panda

$50 - 7x5"watercolour painting

Kicking off InkTober with Chester the Panda!

cheerful model

11x14"watercolour painting on paper

Tuesday's Portrait Session went very well thanks to our very patient and cheerful model Jerry.  Once I brought the piece home and looked at it, I decided to add a bit of orange to the background to balance his shirt. Plus, I added some splatters, of course!

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!

Portrait of Frank

Well, this portrait is a bit more of a 'traditional' way of using watercolour since I built up washes. It's not the way that I normally work but I'm very happy with it.

6x9" watercolour painting

that far right eye...

Well, I know how hard it is to draw the far right eye on a model when you can just barely see it. Next time I'll be sure to adjust my seat to the right for a profile or the left, so I can really see the eye. However, I got so caught up in the lovely shape of the model's hair that I just started drawing. I'm actually happy with it and although the hair may look unfinished, I chose to leave it, and the shirt, this way and I consider this portrait study finished. : )

11x14" watercolour painting

Well, you'd think I'd learn my lesson and shift a bit... but this time I was caught up in the red shirt. I'm happy with this one too and I believe I got the far right eye in proportion. Still, a very frustrating angle...

This time I got rid of the white on the face, starting with a pink and grey wash, let it dry, then focused on the features. : )

9x12" watercolour painting

Toronto Watercolour Society

Super proud that my bear painting was one of two chosen for this year's Toronto Watercolour Society Art Show Invite! Happening next month. More info to follow.

Also, I just finished a three day workshop with the lovely watercolour artist Rex Beanland, hosted by Toronto Watercolour Society. Learned a lot about mixing watercolour to the consistency of tea, coffee, milk, cream and butter!

Viridian Opera

Well, this one doesn't look anything like the model... but I sure had fun messing around with a green and pink palette. I used Viridian and Opera which make a lovely purple. I added dashes of Cadmium Red just to warm it up a bit.

$90 - 9x12"watercolour on 90lb paper.

Don Valley Art Club Portrait... still at it!

I've now painted our Don Valley Art Club organizer three times. Every portrait of him looks different. I've posted all three if you scroll back and look, (Aug 23rd and 14th... although you might not be able to tell!) He's got a great expressive face and, although I'm happy with all of the paintings, each captures a different aspect of him.

11x14" watercolour painting.

Don Valley Art Club Portrait

At the Don Valley Art Club, a bunch of artists get together and pose for each other for 25 minutes. The session is 3 hours so I normally do 5-6 portraits a session (depending on whether or not it's my turn to pose that day). By the time I get to painting number 4, I've loosened up and get more carefree. That's what happened with this painting. I like it because I was so relaxed while painting it. It's a bit 'sloppier' which, I think, worked out well for this one. : )

11x14"watercolour painting