Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Colours of King

11 x 14 oil on panel
I put a little more detail in the figure than I normally do, but still tried to keep it loose. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am "warming" up my colour palette with the addition of terra rosa and transparent oxide red.
Last week we had a March rainfall (with a touch of snow)  and I was able to get some evening photographs in the King Street area. There were lots of interesting umbrellas.
In this scene, a young woman walks past Tiff Bell Lightbox on King Street.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Spring Sun Reflections on King Street, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on panel
We aren't into this much spring just yet, but I've been thinking of doing this image on a larger scale and wanted to work out some colours.There are a lot of different colours going on, and I need to maintain harmony. I mixed most of my darks and greys from a mix of ultramarine blue and venetian red and used ultramarine blue and viridian to make the turquoise blues. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

March Sun, Late Afternoon on Adelaide Street

24 x 24 oil on panel
The sun after a snow storm can be brilliant, the moisture having cleared the particles from the air. This street is Adelaide at Spadina with the sun sinking in the late afternoon sun.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Grace O'malleys, Snowy Evening

8x10 oil on panel
I'm working on a few "vignettes" while I get ready to start some larger paintings. Its always good to get a sense of composition and colour before getting out the large canvas.
Grace O'Malleys is an Irish Pub on Duncan Street in Toronto's entertainment district.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Crossing at King and Simcoe

8 x 10 oil on panel
Our weather has been all over the place, from spring like conditions with rain to the snow storm we had yesterday. I have been wanting to add some warmer colours back into my palette. I have been using a predominately cool palette, but some scenes call for warmer colours. I have added transparent oxide red and terra rosa into the mix. I thought this scene was a good way to start with the warmer building colours and a spring rain.
This small study is at King and Simcoe in Toronto's Entertainment District. The Elephant and Castle Pub is on the left.