Wanna Play? - A Work in Progress

I had some time and wanted to work on this painting that I had started during a Still Life class at the Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio (see post on 27 March 2014).













I will post this painting at a later date as more work is completed on the stuffed toys.

Thank you for looking at my artwork.

Koi 5 and 6 - Two Works in Progress

Today I did another fourteen sketches of koi for the painting called Koi Pond that I had started as an abstract showing movement in a class I took in the spring (see post on 21 May 2014).

I think I now have enough sketches of koi on tracing paper in various sizes and positions that my next step is to cut them out and place them onto the photocopies of the background.


Koi 5

Once I am happy with their placement on the photocopy I will tape them into place and after doing all four I know in which direction the panel should go and at that point I will have the sketches enlarged to the size to fit on the panel.














Koi 6

As usual I took two of the sketches and transferred them onto smaller pieces of watercolour paper which I will post at a later date once they have been painted.

Coon Lake I-X - Ten Works in Progress

It is so nice having Ron home during the early part of the week as we can get away and go out in the canoe when the lakes aren't as busy with all the weekend cottagers.

Even though the skies were overcast with a brisk wind blowing making the weather a little on the cool side for a summer day in July we enjoyed ourselves.

Coon Lake IV

Today we went on Coon Lake as it is located on the north side of Highway 28 just east of Burleigh Falls.

It wasn't very far away, especially with the chance of rain in the forecast; we didn't want to spend our time driving instead of being out on the water.

Once we had the canoe and our gear unloaded and into the water we paddled as usual to the end of the lake and allowed the current to carry us back to the launch site.

Coon Lake VI

The lake isn't all that large although it does reach depths of 50' (15.24m) with the average depth being around 22' (6.7m).

What I enjoyed was exploring the irregular shoreline and the many small bays and inlets.

As we headed toward the shallower north west end of the lake we came across a rundown cottage on a small island.

I did a couple of sketches of and made sure I had plenty of reference photographs.

Coon Lake VII

It was one of those unique fixer uppers and perhaps we will find out who owns the place and if they would be willing to sell. It would be another project for the future.

While going around the back part of the island I had to keep a sharp eye out for submerged logs and rock shoals just below the surface of the water. It was very weedy but it had a multitude both the yellow and the white lily pads.

As we drifted back towards the southeast section of the lake there were a number of steep rocky drop offs.

Coon Lake IX

Ron had a great time catching four large mouth bass, a small mouth bass, a sunfish and a small muskellunge all of which we live released back into the lake.

I was fortunate to be able to get photographs of a Great Blue Heron fishing near the shore and took as many photographs as possible until we got too close and he flew further down the lake.

I did a number of sketches of the lake, shoreline, trees, birds and the water lilies and also took a lot of reference photographs.

Coon Lake X

I should be able to produce many paintings over the winter of Coon Lake.














Coon Lake VIII

I know it won't be long before we return to Coon Lake.















Coon Lake I

On the way home we stopped at the Burleigh Falls Lodge Resort and had supper in their Island Grill restaurant where we enjoyed their fish and chips.














Coon Lake II

It was a wonderful way to end the day and the rain held off until we made it safely home.














Coon Lake III














Coon Lake V

Evening Grosbeaks III - A Work in Progress

This is the last of four sketches (see posts on 20, 22 and 25 July 2014) of Evening Grosbeaks that I would like to paint.















I didn't have much time today to do more than indicate where I will place the seven birds and some of the growies, but at least I have a basics in for the sketch.

I will post this sketch at a later date once the outline drawing has been completed.

What's New? - A Work in Progress

We were very fortunate that the rain held off yesterday until 8pm and it continued to rain throughout the night including having a major thunderstorm at 2am which lasted for almost two hours. The rain finally ended around 6am and as I headed for the show at Lockside Trading Company it was cloudy and looked as though it would start to rain at any moment.

It didn't take as long to set everything up again as I knew exactly what was being hung up on the grids which made things a lot easier.

With the overcast skies not too many people came out for the morning but as the day progressed the clouds disappeared and the sun came out bringing with it the crowds.













I did a little more work on this painting that I had started in one of the Still life classes at KAGS (see post on 27 March 2014).

I started by working on the curtains to give a little definition to the folds.

Next I darkened the shadows beneath the duck and then worked on getting the duck to look a little more round in shape.

I will post this painting again once the toy duck is completed.

Art@the Locks

I don't normally do outdoor shows where I take my own tent and set up everything inside it and then have the hassle of taking all the paintings and tent down each night only to do it all over again the following day. Especially not when they are calling for rain all weekend long.

However, I enjoyed this show where I shared my tent with fellow artist Cindy Allan who picked out a lovely spot right beside the locks at the Lockside Trading Company in Youngs Point. When I was not painting or speaking with the public I spent my time taking photographs of the various boats as they passed through the lock.














The day was 72F (22C) with a gentle breeze blowing and it didn't start to cloud over until everything was safely put into the vehicle.

I would like to thank new collector Ms. Sharon Black of Selwyn, Ontario on her purchase of Snow 1 (see post on 10 March 2011).

Hopefully, tomorrow will be the same as today and the rain will hold off until the end of the show.

Evening Grosbeaks II - A Work in Progress

This is the third of four sketches (see posts on 20 and 22 July 2014) of Evening Grosbeaks coming in for bird seed in the winter.














I have completed the outline sketches of seven Grosbeaks, two females and five males on the ground feeding with one male in flight.

The main grass stalks and growies are also indicated. I will post this piece at a later date once I have transferred the sketch to the watercolour paper.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork. I hope you will return often.

OSWOA - Beachcomber I

This morning I was watching The Weather Network on television and they were showing a video of the surf crashing on shore and it made me think if this painting, that I had started last year (see post on 15 September 2013).

I started at the horizon line and gradually made the wave lines larger until I had a breaker starting to crest, then I put in the trough and the receding waves on the shore.

I scattered some seaweed across the beach that had been washed in by the waves.














After looking at the drawing, while taking a break and having a cup of tea I decided that it needed a lighthouse on a spit of land.

If you would like more information about OSWOA please go to my post on 12 March 2010.

The OSWOA shown here is an original pen and ink drawing using STAEDTLER Mars 308 Fineliner on 109lb. Pentalic Paper for Pens archival quality, acid free paper. It is priced at $30.00 and sold matted and shrink wrapped.

ACEO - Fog 1

Today I pulled out this painting that I had started last year (see post on 27 February 2013).

Using a dark of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna I painted in the tree trunks, keeping the background trees lighter with less detail than the foreground ones slightly darker and adding more branches.

With a pale mixture of French ultramarine blue and raw sienna I put in the leaves on the background trees and gradually darkened the leaf colour as I put in the closer trees.














Using clear water I lifted two birch tree trunks and added their markings with the tree trunk colour.

Lastly I put in the grasses into the foreground.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Fabriano 100% cotton, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Evening Grosbeaks I - A Work in Progress

This is the second of four sketches of Evening Grosbeaks (see post on 20 July 2014) that I am developing for paintings.














I have completed the outline sketches of nine Grosbeaks, four males and five females on the ground feeding on the mixed grain that has been put out for them.

I will post this piece at a later date once I have transferred the outline sketch onto watercolour paper.

Wolf Lake Birches - A Work in Progress

Today was a bright and sunny day and perfect for doing all kinds of things outside .

First thing this morning Ron helped me reclaim the flower beds by the arbour and we planted four Don Juan climbing rose bushes to replace the Blaze climbers that I lost due to the long and hard winter.

Afterward while I made lunches to take with us, while Ron put the canoe on the Blazer and collected his fishing gear.














Map courtesy of Google Map Data@Google

We went up to Wolf Lake which is located off of Anstruther Lake Road on the east side of Hwy. 28 and east of Apsley. It is another of the many lakes in the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site.

The lake reaches a maximum depth of 30' (9m) with the average depth being about 15' (4.6m). There are many submerged logs, rock piles, weed beds and water lilies found along the irregular shoreline which provide excellent habitat for the muskie, largemouth bass and small mouth bass for which the lake is known.

In the rush to get to the lake I left my sketch book and pencils at home on the kitchen table, but I did have a few pieces of mat board and a small paint box in the Blazer and I took many photographs from which that I am sure I can do paintings of the lake.


















It was the first time we had been on this lake and with Ron catching five largemouth bass and one nice 17" (43cm) walleye (also known here as pickerel) all of which we released. I am sure we will be going back there often.

I will post this watercolour sketch of birch trees found along the shores of Wolf Lake at a later date once I have completed the trees.

Evening Grosbeaks - A Work in Progress

This is the first of four sketches of Evening Grosbeaks that I would like to develop into paintings.

I have completed the outline drawing of the seven birds; five males and one female on the ground looking for food and a second female in flight.














Some of the larger growies are indicated.

I will post this drawing at a later date once I have the grasses and growies completed and transferred onto watercolour paper.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork.

Horse Sketches XVIII-XX

It was a nice, warm, sunny day and as usual since it was my Mom's birthday I visited my parents at Rosemount Memorial Gardens.

It is relaxing there sitting on a bench under the trees in the peace and quiet. Before leaving I left fresh cut flowers in the vase on their niche.














From there I went to visit a friend at the stable where she boards her horses and decided I would do some quick sketches of the horses grazing in the field.

Eventually I will probably use some of these sketches in a couple of paintings of horses out on pasture.














I would like to thank new collector Mrs. D. A. Lackey on her purchase of Sea Fans (see post on 20 April 2013).















Thank you for taking the time to look at my artwork and I hope you will return often.

Koi 3 and 4 - Two Works in Progress

Today I am working on more sketches for Koi Pond (see post on 21 May 2014) and did another ten koi in different positions.














Koi 3

I also chose two of these sketches and transferred the images onto small pieces of watercolor paper as I did the first time (see post on 06 July 2014) I worked on sketches for this painting.













Koi 4

I will post both of these koi paintings at a later date as more work on them is completed.

Resting on a Hinge - A Work in Progress

I always enjoy watching my swallows as they twist and turn in flight and they are often out with me while I am mowing the lawn and stirring up bugs for them.














So rather than have them in flight, I chose to have a swallow resting on one of the hinges on the large barn doors of the west barn.

I will post this sketch at a later date once I have completed the outline drawing.

Bath Time - A Work in Progress

Today I thought I would do a little more work on this painting that I had started last week (see post on 11 July 2014).












The first thing I had to do was tighten up the drawing and make a few changes to get the proportions correct.












Next was to put in the background using various mixtures of raw sienna and burnt sienna.













Using a wash of pure Cobalt blue I blocked in the towel and set the painting aside to dry.

I will post this painting at a later date once more work on it has been completed.

Rubber Ducky 1 - A Work in Progress

It seems as though I am working on rubber ducks this month so I thought I would continue and do a little more work on this piece that I had started earlier this year (see post on 28 March 2016)  of just
the rubber duck and a towel.













Using a wash of French ultramarine blue, Antwerp blue and burnt sienna I brushed in the background.

While the background was drying I made up various mixtures of blues for the towel using Antwerp blue, French ultramarine blue, Cobalt blue and burnt sienna.














Using up to five layers of the various blues I painted the towel until I was happy with the depth of colour and set it aside to dry.

I will post this painting at a later date once I start work on the duck.

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork.

Four Seasons - Four Works in Progress

I decided that I wanted to do forest scenes each slightly different showing the four seasons.

The first one I pulled out was called Grey Sky H (see post on 18 July 2013) to be my spring painting.














Spring Forest 3

I drew in a large tree for the foreground and indicated the horizon line where the background trees will be painted.

The next painting was called Blue Sky A (see post on 07 July 2012) which would become my summer painting.















Summer Forest 3

I pulled out this paintings that I had started last year (see post on 18 July 2013), at which time it was called it Blue Sky F.














Autumn Forest 3

I drew in a main tree and a couple of slightly smaller trees to create interest and lightly indicated a few of the smaller background trees.

The last painting was called Grey Sky J (see post on 18 July 2013) and would become my winter painting.














Winter Forest 3

I drew in a large tree for the foreground and put in the horizon line where the background trees will be painted. I may also add a few more closer trees once the snow has been painted.

I will post each of these paintings at a later date once more work on them has been completed.

Daisies I - A Work in Progress

After working on yesterday's painting I thought it may be interesting if I did another as a companion piece with the taller daisies on the opposite side and who knows I may do a third one in the landscape orientation.

Once again I used masking tape as a resist to create the daisies where I wanted the white of the paper to show.

I used various mixtures of Antwerp blue, alizarin crimson, raw sienna, burnt sienna, new gamboge, Cerulean blue and French ultramarine blue for the under paint which was applied wet on dry paper.

I set this painting aside to dry and will post it again at a later date once I start to work on it in the negative.

Daisies - A Work in Progress

This is a painting I started earlier this year in a watercolour class with Emil Varga (see post on 05 March 2014).

The under painting was already completed with the basic growies and grasses and now it was time to add more details by painting in the negative which is a slow and thoughtful process.

I mixed various dark colours using Antwerp blue, French ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, raw sienna, Cobalt blue, Payne's grey and alizarin crimson.

Using the blacks, browns, greens and purples I gradually added the dark grasses and growies and wove them in between and behind the existing grass shapes.

Sometimes this can be discouraging, when you spend a fair amount of time and at first it doesn't seem as though much has been accomplished. But the end result is usually well worth the effort.

I will post this piece at a later date once more work on this painting is completed.

Bath Time - A Work in Progress

Back in March I did some sketches of rubber ducks (see post on 27 and 28 March 2014) I liked the sketch so much that I set up a sea shell with a couple of bars of soap and a sea shell shaped bottle containing bath oil and then added the rubber duck.













I will post this piece at a later date once I have applied some paint onto the drawing.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and look at the artwork. I hope you will return often.

ACEO - Summer 1

With it being almost time to bring the hay into the barn for the horses, I thought I would do a painting of sunlit hay fields.

I brushed in the sky using a mixture of cobalt blue and French ultramarine blue, gradually lightening the colour toward the bottom of the sky.

I added a little new gamboge to the sky colour and brushed in the distant field, then added a little more cobalt blue and some raw sienna to the green mix and put in the closer field.















Once the paint was completely dry I lightly drew in some trees, a barn and a fence line on the distant hill and a couple of trees and then put in a couple of trees on the top of the closer field.

I started by putting the roof on the barn and adding the fence line with a mix of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna and then I lightened the colour with water and painted in all the tree trunks.

Next I mixed various greens using French ultramarine blue, new gamboge, aureolin and raw sienna. Using a sponge I pit the leaves onto the trees.















To finish the painting I used the darker green mix and added some blades of hay blowing in the afternoon breeze.

If you would like more information about ACEO please go to my post on 11 March 2010.

The ACEO shown here is an original watercolour painting using Artist quality Winsor & Newton paint on 140lb. Arches 100% rag, acid free watercolour paper. It is priced at $20.00 and sold unframed.

Hippocampus

Today I was sorting through an old box of my Mom's stories and photographs that she had collected and kept for many years.

In this box I came across one of my early watercolour paintings that I did with my first set of Grumbacher watercolours. I would have been 10 years old at the time.

I remember doing the painting and thought it was either thrown away or lost when I moved.

Now I realize I must have given it to her as I know it was one of her favourites.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and enjoy the artwork.

Silent Morning - A Work in Progress

I have a busy day ahead of me with a lot of errands to do, but I still wanted to do a little painting.

We had a lovely sunrise this morning and I thought it would be nice to capture the colours and then decide that what to put into the painting.

First I used alizarin crimson and washed in the sky colour leaving an area of white paper for where the sunlight was breaking through the clouds. This area was also left lighter in the water at the bottom of the painting.













The clouds were a mixture of French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna and swept them into the sky. This colour slightly darker was then brush into the water and the painting was set aside to dry.

I am not sure whether to put a couple of early morning fishermen into the painting, a pair of loons, or perhaps a heron.

Once I make my choice I will post this painting again.

Koi 1 and 2 - Two Works in Progress

Today I printed out a copy of Koi Pond (see post on 21 May 2014) and worked on sketches of Koi on tracing paper to fit this smaller version.

This will take a lot less time and at a later date can be enlarged to fit the canvas which is 27-1/2" x 35-1/2".

I did about a dozen rough outline sketches of koi in various positions.

Koi 2

I picked two of the sketches and transferred them onto small pieces of watercolour paper and I will experiment with the various colours, colour patterns and scale textures.

I will also have to do some research on the twenty plus types of koi and the various colour patterns associated with each variety so they can be more realistic.

Koi 1

I will post each of these paintings at a later date when they have been completed.

Ships - Two Works in Progress

These are two more sketches I did a couple of years ago when Ron and I went to Kingston, Ontario to see the tall ships.

The ships came into port all day on the Friday and were tied up at the dock on Saturday and Sunday for tourists to take pictures and in some cases they could go aboard them.

Sailing the seas in the olden days would not have been a pleasure cruise.


Sail Away I

It was amazing to see how low the interiors of the older vessels were and without windows below the deck they were little more than dark holes with the living conditions being minimal at best.

No wonder many of the crew in that time period were impressed.

Into the Fog I

Thank you for coming to look at my artwork and I hope you will return often.

Buckhorn Artists' Group Blog - Show Updates

I have updated the Buckhorn Artists' Group blog with a listing of shows some of the various artists in the Group are exhibiting their work in during the month of July.

If you get a chance come out and visit them at one or all of the shows.

Last Day of the Summer Sizzle Show at KAGS

I am sitting at the Summer Sizzle Show at KAGS which ends today. The Gallery will then shut down for the next three weeks for renovations.










Hopefully during the next three weeks I will have more time to go with the Outdoor Painters' Group and paint on location.