Malanka - Progress on a Portrait of a Puli

Painting has slowed down significantly, though I did manage to get a bit more painted on this sweet little girl tonight. Moving day is quickly coming up with only a couple more days of packing and preparing. Then... road trip!


Malanka, Work in Progress
4" x 4" Watercolour on Aquabord
© 2009

Cheeky - Bird #30

I didn´t have the energy (or the will) to deal with the windows computer tonight so, it is another night on the linux box for me. I´m starting to work more with it and starting to figure out how the heck to use it... so that is always good. The only downside so far is that not all my printers have drivers available in linux. I may not be able to completely get rid of the windows computer yet.

Tonight... another lunch time painting to present. This one is a little Titmouse and he seemed to have a bit of a cheeky look to him... hence the name.



Cheeky
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolour
© 2010

Close Up - Bird #29

I´m posting this from my ´server computer´ which runs Ubuntu Linux since, about 3 hours ago, my happy little Windows computer decided to die. By die, I mean for several hours I couldn´t get it to boot and now that I can get it to boot... none of the input devices (ie... keyboard and mouse) will work. sigh.

Anywho.... I finished this little guy at work today. Lots of fun and very relaxing. I find painting these little guys helps to distract me from the fast pace of life and computer malfunctions.



Close Up
3.5" x 2.5" Watercolour
© 2010

Malanka - Portrait of a Puppy (WIP)

I've started another work-in-progress last night... yes yes, I know, I have way too many paintings on the go... but, I have my reasons. This one is a memorial portrait of Malanka for my parents. And, since in a couple of weeks I will be traveling through their home town I thought I would have this one ready so I can give it to them in person.

And why, you ask, am I passing through the heart of the Canadian prairies during the winter? Well, since my rather cryptic announcement of big news in the new year I was reminded that I never actually posted what the big news was/is. So... without further adieu I shall announce it: In less than two weeks I begin a new adventure of packing up my place (which has started) and traveling across the country with two cats to Newmarket, Ontario where I will be starting a new job.

As a result, postings (and paintings) will be sporadic over the next month or so until I get a new place to live and have internet access.



Malanka, Work in Progress
4" x 4" Watercolour on Aquabord
© 2009

Snow Drops - Bird #28

In celebration of all the beautiful weather (minus the rain) that the west coast is experiencing I thought I would paint something a little bit 'spring-ish'. I heard on the news the other day that there are even some spring blossoms starting to appear around town. Kinda hard to believe that it is still January!



Snow Drops
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolour
© 2010

Bike Shadows - Step Four

I think I have finished the first cyclist in this big bike painting and I've added some shadows on the right side of the painting... adding some nice texture to the painting. Tomorrow I'll start the second cyclist and then the painting will nearly be complete.


"Bike Shadows"
36" x 30"
© 2010
photo reference from morguefile

Red Berries - Bird #27

Long day today, so I decided to finish another small painting tonight rather than working on the big bike painting. I find these little painting nice and relaxing to do and perfect for a low energy evening.



Red Berries
2.5" x 3.5" Watercolour
© 2010

Little Leaf - From the Sketchbook

A quick little sketch tonight... didn't actually get too much done on the big bicycle painting (had a much needed nap instead). I should (plan) on having something to show tomorrow.



Little Leaf, watercolour and ink
© 2010

Bike Shadows - Step Three

Tonight I finished blocking in and started applying some of the glazed layers on the pathways. I think there is a few more glazes of colour needed on the lower path and possibly the orange path... but, they are pretty close to being done. Next... I will finish the front wheel on the almost complete cyclist. After that, the second cyclist and then my signature!



"Bike Shadows"
36" x 30"
© 2010
photo reference from morguefile

A Little Light - From the Sketchbook

Thought I would post a sketch from my sketchbook tonight (tomorrow I'll show an update on the bicycle painting). I bought this radiometer from a local book store (but it is just like the one in the link) and it has amused me for many sunny days on my windowsill. In fact, I watched it so much that I thought I had to sketch it.



A Little Light, watercolour and ink
© 2010


edit: The quote in the painting is: "Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience." ~ Paulo Coelho

Sitting Pretty - Bird #26

Took a quick break from the bike painting to finish a little chickadee painting that has been sitting in my 'to complete' pile for a little while. Now... back to the big bicycle painting.



Sitting Pretty
3.5" x 2.5" Watercolour
© 2010

Bike Shadows - Step Two

First, I apologize for the poor lighting in this picture.... I'll take a better one tomorrow during daylight. I'm getting closer to finishing this painting having getting much done tonight. I've tweaked the first bicyclist and have the base colour down for the upper sidewalk, most of the middle pathway, and almost all of the lower pathway. I've also started to glaze multiple layers of colour (had to see in this painting) adding depth and wonder texture to the pathways.

My goal for tomorrow is to finish the base colouring of the paths and to start shaping out the second cyclist. Then, perhaps I can add the final layers on Sunday and call it done next week.



"Bike Shadows"
36" x 30"
© 2010
photo refernce from morguefile


edit: I've updated the photograph this morning to a much better representation of the colours.