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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Jack Blah!

"Jack Blah" 
15" x 22" Watercolour with Pencil
Started 27-Jan-2013
Completed 30-Jan-2013
[click on image for larger view]

The intent of this painting was to portray absolute feeling of blah-ziness, Jack is such a fantastic subject to paint as his expressions are worn freely on his face. It also helps that Cara (his mom) is so adept at catching these times with her camera. Priceless moments. This painting was based on such a photo taken by Cara.

I have been going through a black and white watercolour phase for the last while specifically to improve my understanding and portrayal of values. In this case I believe the black and white (or grey-scale) adds to the mood being portrayed.
I am also trying to come up with my way of painting ... I use an original sketch or photo and roughly draw in minimal features (lots of poor vision and squinting helps) to establish fit within the painting area. I then start with the very darks to establish the key features. Then from there I work from what I envision in my head that the final painting will look like. Never be afraid to try new things.. 

After darkening some shadows and shading, adding folds in sleeves of shirt and doing limited cleanup...I declared this finished. Did not want to take the edginess away from the painting by smoothing too much out.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Miss Fluffy

"Miss Fluffy" almost finished

"Miss Fluffy" - 24-Jan-2013

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sketchcrawl #38

I had big plans to sketchcrawl at Granville Island yesterday, but due to some work and feeling a bit wiped out, I ended up crawlin' at home. I sketched the following in between handling other things. I still have to finish it today.

Since I was unencumbered by travel and the elements, I sketched large on a watercolour half sheet figuring I can turn the sketch into a painting.

Here is Miss Fluffy half asleep and half keeping a wary eye on me. LOL
FYI.. she seems to have taken to sleeping in the magazine indent in my Japanese coffee table.

"Sketchcrawl #38 - Miss Fluffy"
15" x 22" on watercolour 140lb Arches CP
[click image for larger view]



Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Guitar Man

"Guitar Man" - Final Thu Jan 17, 2013
15" x 22" Dry-brush watercolour on Arches 140lb CP


"Guitar Man" - I progress Tue Jan 15, 2013

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Art-hritis

It has been tough to finish the two paintings this week. I was hit hard with Arthritis in the hands that had my fingers curled up for four days. The pain was really intense too.

Getting old is really nasty sometimes.

It sure gave me appreciation for my hands though.

Cheers
Dave

Jack's Dragon

First attempt to paint something for a young boy

 in a kid-like style. Watercolour on Arches 300lb rough
22" x 30" image






Morgan Freeman

My first attempt at dry-brush watercolour

Original Pencil-only sketch from Nov 2012
7.5" x 11" image

B/W Watercolour using dry-brush watercolour technique
Determined to increase the contrast over the original sketch,
I wanted the darks really dark,
15" x 22" image