Dusk is Falling - Finished

All finished and on to my next one! Well, not quite... gotta gesso some supports first and then I can do more painting. Just have to figure out what boat scene I am doing next.



Dusk is Falling
10" x 8" oil on wood
© 2011

Dusk is Falling - Almost Done

Just about done this painting... only a few more details left on the tugboat and its barge. The reflections on the water took a little longer than I anticipated as I kept on getting lost on what was suppose to be what colour. My next painting I will have to make sure that I spend a little more time on the initial sketch, specifically the water reflections and that should make it easier to paint.

The photograph of this painting doesn't quite capture all the subtle tones in the background... but I am very thrilled over the atmosphere that I was able to capture. It definitely reminds me of the view from my last home in Richmond, BC: a quiet evening only broken by the odd tugboat slowly traveling up the Fraser River.


Dusk is Falling
10" x 8" oil on wood
© 2011

Dusk is Falling - Work in Progress

This is my experiment with a using a layer of fine pumice on top of my gesso. And... I have to say that so far I love it. The find roughness of the support really helps to create the softness of the mood of this painting, though I can see it being terribly hard on my brushes.


Dusk is Falling
10" x 8" oil on wood
© 2011

On My Easel....

I am one of those people who just can't have one thing on the go at a time... Today on my easel there are four paintings.... the apple (still very wet), a tugboat (on the bottom front. It is an experimental piece painting on a support covered with fine pumice), a new watercolour bird (for when both oil paintings are too wet to continue), and a abstracty boat painting in the back in case I feel like something completely different! And... as I finish one, I almost always add another one to my stack.


Assorted sizes, assorted paintings
© 2011


ps - I think I need a bigger easel!

Patiently Waiting for Spring - Bird #51

It has been a while since I've worked on a bird, so I thought I would give this guy a whirl while waiting for the paint to dry on my apple painting. We had a taste of spring on Friday, then Saturday the cold and some very nasty winds snapped me back from my daydreams of spring to the reality of winter. Soon... Soon...


Patiently Waiting for Spring
4" x 4" watercolour on aquabord
Photo Reference kindly provided by Alan and Elaine Wilson
© 2011

Back to "Apple Splash"

After a long hiatus from this painting, I've decided to (finally) finish it. I've been working on the water splash... adding details and emphasizing the darks and highlights. Next will be the area around the stem... and finally the lower right hand corner. After that, order a frame and hang it on the wall!


Apple Splash, work in progress
11" x 14" oil on canvas
© 2011

Scooting Past

Another typical scene from Vancouver, BC. This time, looking from Spanish Beach towards West Vancouver. I always found it interesting to watch the little sailboats cruise past the huge cargo ships. A feeling I tried to capture in this painting.


Scooting Past
Oil on wood
10" x 8"
© 2011

Returning Home

Tonight's painting is another little tugboat... photographed this time in the Burrard Inlet just off the shore from North Vancouver. I just love the red of this tugboat... and all the tires lining its side.


Returning Home
Oil on wood
8" x 6"
© 2011