Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days - Day Twenty-Two

Fall will officially arrive here in about an hour. And the rain and probably some snow too! Our sunrise is beautiful this morning - this is one of my favourite times of the day. Off to feed our horses and then to my workshop with intuitive artist Joan Fullerton. So glad I have been participating in the 30in30 - what a difference it makes going to a workshop having been painting daily! Hope the sun is shining where you are - have a wonderful day!

Day 22
Acrylic mixed media on
Canson mixed media paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Nine

Went with a limited palette for this picture - a couple of blues and yellows, a brown and titanium white. Added some line work with Caran D'ache watercolour crayons. I started using the Caran D'ache in the early 90's. I was attending a monotype printmaking workshop with artist and instructor Jeremy Mayne (was a life altering 'art' experience for me - a post for another day!) and he used these a lot before and after printing. He showed us how to heat up the metal plate (our substrate) with a hair dryer and then draw/mark make with the crayon. We would also heat up the crayon and rub and blend them on the plate. The crayon printed beautifully. I still have one or two crayons left from my original set of 10.

If you are participating in the the challenge I hope you are finding it rewarding to be doing a painting day. Although I can't believe it is only Day 9!

Day 9
4"X4"
Acrylic, mixed media on
Arches 140lb hotpress paper

Thirty Paintings in 30 Days - Day Six

Had to play a bit of catch up for the 30 in 30 this weekend but have gotten back on track. Struggled a bit with a couple of paintings - but on to the next. I am enjoying the challenge - great excuse to be painting and not doing the mundane day to day....you know what I'm talking about - laundry, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, etc, etc..... If you are participating in the challenge hope you are enjoying the time in your studio. 

Fall is here - although not officially. The morning air is crisp and cool and the grass is heavy with dew. The leaves are starting to change colour and fall to the ground. Mother Nature is letting us know that it is time to get things ready for the winter sleep. This is one of my favourite seasons - everything is so fresh out and the colour...well the colours are amazing. In the next few weeks it will be spectacular - as long as the wind doesn't blow too hard! This is having a big influence on my painting. The rich earth tones and the little pockets of green that refuse to give in to the change. And the skies - ever changing and spectacular.

Day 6
6"X6"
Acrylic, Caran D'ache watercolour crayons,
Derwent Inktense Pencils on
140lb rough watercolour paper

Dog Journal - Contour Drawings to Paintings

Back to the Dog Journal....finally!! Have missed working in my dog journal. Too many other projects on the go and not all art related. These pictures started off as 'semi' blind contour drawings. I like warming up before painting doing a few of these quick sketches. They free me up when I am feeling 'tight' - and I find working like this very freeing and best of all stress free. I don't draw enough and revisiting these images reminds to get the sketchbook and pencil out and start drawing!

Contour Drawings
with a bit of detail added
(paper size 8 1/2"X 11")

Acrylic Mixed Media
7"X7"

Acrylic Mixed Media
7"X7"

Daily Practice Paintings

These are daily paintings from the last 5 days. Every time I do one I am learning more about my materials (especially the pigments) and I am practicing! So I don't consider any of this a waste of time or materials - I am building a strong foundation and from this hope to create some artwork that will be amazing!

Five of the images were done on 140lb coldpress watercolour paper. I take a full sheet (21"X30") and just paint on it randomly as well as using some light molding paste. I then cut the sheet into smaller sizes and have a supply ready to go.

6"X6" Acrylic on watercolour paper

6"X6" Acrylic on watercolour paper

6"X6" Acrylic on watercolour paper

6"X6" Acrylic on watercolour paper

6"X6"
Acrylic on watercolour paper

8"X10'
Acrylic on canvas