Thursday, April 29, 2010

Quiet Yonge Street, Toronto

24x24 Oil on Canvas
Doing this painting was almost enough to make me want to quit painting. I painted and wiped and painted and wiped the reflection and then the buildings. And still had the values wrong. Also, sometimes what you like about a painting is what makes it difficult. I liked the abandoned feeling of the street, allowing the reflections to be front and centre. But the lack of any dominant shapes, such as people or cars, seemed to leave an emptiness to the composition and the scene. I decided it was time to get away from it, let it sit around for awhile and revisit later. (Before I wiped the whole thing)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Old Mill House

7x9 Oil on Canvas Panel
I occasionally try painting plein air. It is really difficult. I spent some time at my Moms in Ancaster, a great little town close by. There is a great old stone mill there that has been converted into a restaurant. This painting is of the home that accompanied the mill. The blossom is a very delicate tree like bush that is blooming now. I think it is a Service Berry.  I am completely out of my comfort zone when painting outside.. I want to overwork everything rather than staying loose and spontaneous. I think it takes lots of practice and time...which I don't have a lot of. (I ended up finishing it in the studio.)

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Red Umbrella

8x8 Oil on Board Sold
I wanted to try a painting using a pinky/red ground rather than the transparent red oxide I usually use.I'm starting a larger painting that has lots of red/pink colors in the signs and reflections, so I wanted to see how it might look. I know that Jennifer McChristian uses a ground that shows pinky/red in her finished paintings. In one of her posts, she said that she uses Indian Yellow and or thalo red rose as an underpainting. I used an acrylic base of primary majenta (the only pinky red in my paint box). She is having a workshop as we speak (I mean type) and Carole Marine and Becky Joy are in attendance. Jennifer must be very good.
Does anyone out there use an underpainting or ground? What is your preference?
Click on painting to enlarge and see pinky/red

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Taxicab Blues, Bay Street, Toronto

10x8 Oil on Canvas
I liked the combination of blue and yellow in this image.
$125.00 plus shipping

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Just a Walkin' in the Rain, Yonge Street Toronto

20x16 Oil on Canvas
This was a different composition, but I wanted to try it anyway. Not being sure whether it would turn out ok, I didn't want to spend too much time on it and tried to stay loose and finish it in one go.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Revised:Red Coat and Strappy Sandals

16x20 Oil on Canvas Sold
I knew I couldn't leave it alone. When something is bothering me about a painting, I can't let it go. I can't start another one, even though I am tired of the one I just worked on. I am in some strange in between stage of leaving one and starting another. I had done a small value study sketch before starting the painting, and thought the values were interesting. After completing it, the picture seemed a bit flat. I decided to make the background less detailed and more blue/gray and changed the road reflection to match. Then I did some highlights around the figures in the foreground using a bit of yellow hopefully adding some depth and then added some brighter reflective color in the dark value area.. 

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Red Coat and Strappy Sandals, Yonge Street Toronto

16x20 Oil on Stretched Canvas
I did a 6x6 of this image a while back and wanted to try a larger version. I was attracted to the busy scene and the multitude of colors, especially the young woman with the red coat and sandals. Some Toronto Cabs are turquoise and orange...a strange blend. Also, red is a difficult color to work with. I think I need to find a way to bring the woman more into the foreground. Maybe introduce some yellow lights in the store window since so many of my colors are cool.
I have been busy with family stuff and renovating and so I haven't been around to see new postings, but I hope to stop by soon and see what everyone has been up to!
Click on image for larger view

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Place to Rest, James Street Hamilton

11x14 Oil on Stretched Canvas

This is pretty much the weather we have been having for the last two days. I put more greenery in than what we have now..there are only a few bushes and some trees starting to show green. I was a little excessive in the "texture" that I put on the canvas before painting. I always add some texture to a canvas or board. Richard Schmid and Mike Svob describe their techniques in their books. After applying gesso and letting it dry, I apply modeling paste with a palette knife and then go through it with a brush. When dry, I can start the painting.
Click on images for a larger view