A Cool Day in March. Queen Street

12 x 12 oil on canvas

After being spoiled in February, winter has decided to come back for March. I guess things have to balance out somehow. I took this photo reference on a blustery cool day in March in late afternoon when the sun was still high enough to peak through buildings and create some nice highlights. This scene is on Queen Street and the fence at Osgoode Hall is visible across the street.

After The Snow, King Street

12 x 12 oil on canvas I love the light after a snowstorm, everything seems soft and subdued. In this scene, two ladies are out and about on King Street, possible leaving work, shopping, or going out to eat. The Elephant and Castle is visible on the left.

A Cold Day in November, King and University

12 x 12 oil on panel

Steam rises from a subway grate at King and University on a chilly November day. This painting will be available at The One Of A Kind show Nov. 24 in Toronto.

Toronto Chinatown

4 x 4 oil on paper

I haven't posted a painting in over a month. It has been a difficult summer with the heat. I believe it is our hottest summer on record, here in Southern Ontario. My studio is in the attic and when the temperature outside is above 27 degrees celcius (81 F), even with an air conditioner, it is impossible to work. I spent some time doing plein air and catching up on some art reading and research. 

When I decided to do this image of Toronto's Chinatown on Spadina with the lights under the umbrella and awning contrasting with the grey of the rain, I thought it would be worth trying a few studies with different undercoats to see which one I prefer. I don't always use an undercoat, but thought a different approach might have better results. The 4 x4 squares were coated with a wash of transparent oxide red and the other with Indian yellow. I then painted the same image on both.

I'm not sure which one I prefer. Any thoughts or opinons are welcome!

Decisions, Yonge Street Tattoo

12 x 12 oil on canvas

I really like this vignette of three young people in front of Yonge Street Tattoo. One wonders what is being said, what decisions are being made. 

Thanks to Ben Roffelsen for the photo reference.

Spring Rain on Spadina

8x8 oil on canvas

Its still January, but I felt like painting a nice spring rain. I saw some robins the other day, and it made me realize that sooner or later, spring will arrive!

Wet Snow on Wellington Street

12 x 12 oil on board

After doing three shows in four months, it has been difficult getting back to the studio. I took some nice rain/snow photos the other day and was inspired to paint this scene. I liked the reflected lights on Wellington Street, walking past the TD Centre. I would like to paint this on a larger scale, so tried it first on a 12 x 12.

October Rain, King Street, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on board

I was happy to get some photos as the leaves are turning. We have had lots of rain so getting a rainy scene wasn't too difficult. The yellow leaves made the scene. 

The Beautiful Church on Simcoe Street is visible on the top right hand side.

Afternoon Glare, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on canvas

We've been having some great summer weather even though it is autumn. We like to hang on to summer as long as possible. I added black to my palette again, using Ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, cad yellow med, cad yellow light, ultramarine blue, cad red. 

Thanks to John Tavares for the photo reference.

 

12 x 12 oil on canvas

Honest Eds is another famous Toronto Landmark, opened by Ed Mirvish in 1948 on Bathurst and Bloor Streets. With its 23,000 light bulbs, it looks like a theatre marquee rather than a retail establishment. Unfortunately, its future is short lived. Read more  on wikipedia.

 Thanks to John Tavares for the photo reference.

 

Umbrellas on Dundas Street, Toronto

12 x 12 oil on board

Back to a rainy day scene with this picture of colourful umbrellas on Dundas and University in Toronto. I'm adding a few more colours for this rainy scene, but still keeping it very muted and atmospheric.

For this scene I used a very popular palette of Ultramarine blue, alizarin, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow dark and light, cadmium red, titanium white.

Pedestrians wait to cross the street or head to the subway station at Dundas and University in Toronto during a down pour.