386 Red Umbrella

It was a rainy tray day today. This is a Government Street scene.  Although it was a rather dark tray day the white dog and bright red umbrella make a balanced design.

To buy this painting, or just take a close-up view click here.

      

385 Mr Moustache

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(Pardon the glare). This handsome man is a Comissionaire on the Inner Harbour. I painted this from a photograph I took this summer.
I don't usually paint from photographs, but this was irresistible. That is one gorgeous moustache.

I really wanted to simplify the painting so I made the background simple.

I really like this painting.  I think it really captured his likeness and even the personality of this gentleman.

I've been wanting to make a stash of photographs of interesting faces. So lately I've been asking folks if I could photograph them for use in a future painting. I try to get them to make a funny face or interesting expression.
So far people have obliged me. :)

To buy this painting, or just get a close-up view click here

384 Ten Minute Challenge

Here's a challenge I did today. The challenge is to set up a simple still life and paint it for ten minutes (Timed and no cheating). After ten minutes rotate the item and paint it again. It's an exercise to make you learn to make quick decisions about value and quick decisive brush work.

I enjoyed it.

Music Night, sketches

I love going to events and sketching. These sketches are from a Friday Music Nights at James Bay Coffee and Books.

I know they are rather cartoony, but I just love doing them. I use Artists journals, around 5x5 or 5x8 inches, that can take a light wash.

The shading was done by drawing with a non permanent black pen and then washing it with a wet brush.

I will use these sketches as a bases for a series of small oil paintings I'm working on.

383 Alfrescoes

This morning I went painting with friends in Beacon Hill Park. Despite the rain we had a good turn out. Here's a trio who gathered under the gazebo.

382 The Best Dog In the World

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This is Charlie. He's the best dog in the world. He lives with my neighbour Ian. They are a nice team.

 I painted Charlie on a cadmium yellow ground. I wonder what colour would be best for the background. I'm thinking light purple to compliment the yellow. Or how about cerulean blue? Turquoise?

Comments welcome.

I love Charlie.

381 Sheriff Mike

SOLD

I was out looking for a subject to paint today when I ran into my friend Mike. Also known as Sheriff Mike. A great guy and model. I don't do many portraits, so I tried to paint him as I would any other subject. As coloured shapes. I also tried to keep it to a minimum of strokes. (sigh)

Scrabble-Night, oil on canvas board, 6x6

I did this tonight at James Bay Coffee Co. Scrabble Night is very popular and a great excuse to get together with friends during the week. It's also a great painting op for me as people are likely to stay in one place for an hour or so.

A real fun quick painting keeping the brushstrokes to a minimum and minimizing the detail.

To buy this painting, or just to get a close-up view click here

380 Ogden Point Seagull

This pretty seagull posed for me for over an hour today. I tried to soften the edges farther away to create some perspective. I used ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw sienna, and indian red.

To buy this painting, or just get a close-up view click here

379 Cute Little Girl

I did this as part of the challenge to capture the cuteness of this little girl and simplify the image. I did it from a photograph provided by Carol Marine for the challenge. Simplification is a real challenge for me. I illuminated the background of the photo, which had cars and other figures. I chose this yellow green tint because I felt it was a nice compliment of the sienna and illuminated the image, bathing the girl in sunshine.

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Comments?

378 Coast Guard Boat

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This is the Coast Guard Boat in Patricia Bay. It was quite an overcast day, mostly. The brightest thing around was this big red boat. I think it turned out pretty nice against the blue sky and water. I tried to make as few strokes as possible. (Though I wasn't counting).

If you would like to buy this painting, or just get a close-up view click here

I want to share with you this really interesting place I discovered called "The Well".
It's a meeting place where artists can show their stuff. It's quite a nice venu and a great down town location. On Fort near Island Blue. I went to an art show there last night put on by the Victoria Arts Council. You can buy a membership and get various perks, like free coffee and tea and free admission to paid events. Plus you get to use the place for your own event. There's discounts too. Any way It's a new idea. It's like a community centre. But not government funded. And it's about supporting artists. Here's a link. I recommend it. Maybe go to one of the events and see for yourself.the Well

377 Egg in Gray

I did this value study egg this morning just for practice. I can already tell that I strayed from what I was actually seeing to "making up" contrasts. Hmmm.
I'll give it another go. :)

Waiting, water color, 6x6

I found both these items at a local consignment store. The figurine is actually part of a pair of salt and pepper shakers. I am starting to acquire pretty things for still life arrangements.

I think she looks like she's waiting for someone.

I like the orange and blue combination.

Ogden Point Thanksgiving, oil on canvas board, 6x6

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It was a fabulous Thanks Giving Day. Everyone was out enjoying the long weekend.

This is actually Fonyo Beach, but it is facing towards Ogden Point.

I always mix my colours when I am out and ready to start painting. I would like to premix my colours ahead of time, at least some of them.

Suggestions welcome.
If you would like to buy this painting, or just view it close up click here

Michael, charcoal on paper, 24x30

Tonight I went to the opening of the Cedar Hill Art Centre. It was a lot of fun with artists demonstrating, and belly dancing. They also had life drawing, which I was glad to participate in. Here's one of my sketches.

Ogden Point Breakwater, Sunset, oil on canvas board, 6x6

sold-Toronto

This is a small painting with a big feel.  It was such a sunny warm day for October. But by the time I got out to paint a cold wind had come in. (When I finished painting I was shivering but satisfied).

 This is Ogden Point Breakwater. People love to walk out on it .

Personally, I don't like walking on it because I have a bit of fear of heights and there are no rails.

In this painting I used ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light, and cadmium red medium, plus titanium white.

I chose this high horizon because I wanted to capture the feeling of the greatness of the sea.  Incidentally, I painted this from where the search and rescue and pilot boats are moored. (perhaps a future painting).

Ogden Point, Bird Rally, oil on canvas, 6x6

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Assorted seabirds, and the odd crow, sat quietly for hours this morning.
In this painting I used only a limited palette of ultramarine blue, yellow acre, and burnt sienna, plus white. I started with flake white and finished up with titanium white.  I prefer the flake white because it is warm and semiopaque, so it lightens my colours gradually. Whereas the titanium white is so opaque and a little cool. It can be overpowering.

I also kept the brushstrokes quite limited and tried to place the paint and not blend.

If you want to buy this painting, or just get a close-up look click here.

Chestnuts, soft pastel, 6x 7.5

Just a little moment from today's walk.  I don't use soft pastels much because the paintings are so delicate to store and frame. They are nice though. And good as a reference for an oil painting.