Friday 21 June 2013

Guennadi's "Old Maple"

I am still struggling at times with oil paint so I enrolled in Guennadi Kalinine's painting landscapes from photos class so that I could learn from him.  He said that a great way to learn is to copy a master so I decided to copy one of his.  How better to learn than to copy a master while he is looking over your shoulder.
I wanted to learn how he does his backgrounds, tree leaves and grasses so I chose a wonderful painting that has all three.  Of all the paintings that I have done with oil paint this one was the most fun.
I am very happy with this one.  
I need to learn how to properly photograph oil paintings.  They all look much better in real life when you can see the texture in the thick paint.  
Saddly last night was the last class.

Thursday 20 June 2013

Paletta Pine 11" X 14" oil on birch board

I painted with the Burlington Fine Arts Guild this morning.  It was sunny and a comfortable 20 C with a gentle breeze off Lake Ontario.  We were painting at Paletta Park and Mansion on the Lakeshore in Burlington.  I prefer slightly less manicured locations but the hazy view over the lake was a nice backdrop for
this old pine.

I probably shouldn't have put the tree dead centre in the painting but I felt that it deserved centre stage.  The water is still a bit too blue but I am pretty happy with this one.

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Almost the Solstice


It was a fantastic evening to paint.  The low light created long shadows and the yellows and reds were brilliant.  I am pleased with this.  I was told that it was my best yet and that I should call it "Solstice" because I captured the light so well.


The mosquitoes were ferocious and the constant buzzing made it difficult to concentrate at times but the temperature and lighting were perfect.  I am still having a lot of fun with oils and I guess it shows in my paintings.

Monday 10 June 2013

Burns Pond

We were painting at Burns Conservation Area.  It was a nice warm evening and a wonderful location however as soon as the sun started getting low the mosquitoes got so bad we retreated to our cars.

I am continuously learning and improving with oils.  That is my goal right now so I am happy.

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Tiffany Falls Take Two

We went back to Tiffany Falls for a second week.  I was determined not to paint the falls again but to attempt the creek or part of the gorge.  However, when I got up to the falls there was a lot more water flowing over it than last week so I did a take two.

I am glad that I did because I like this painting a lot more

The Top of Tiffany

Some days I paint better than others but I have discovered that every day is a good day to paint. Today I painted at Tiffany Falls with half a dozen other artists.  It was 21 C and a clear blue sky except we were in the gorge so the sky colour didn't matter.  It did however mean that there were fantastic highlights in the valley.  The down side is that the patterns changed in a matter of minutes.  When we arrived the sun was gleaming off the falling water and wet stone but by the time we left the whole gorge was in shadow.


This painting is oil on canvas board 14" X 11" and since it is my first attempt at water using oil paint I am happy with it.