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

SOLD

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