Austrian village

Austrian Village, watercolor 54 x 32 cm

I have been planning to paint this scene for years, but was somewhat afraid of the complex cluster of houses in the village. Today I decided to just try it very quickly, only painting the main things and shapes and I am very happy with the result. It took me less that 80 minutes, including blow-drying the washes a number of times.

Fruit basket

Fruit Basket, watercolor 54 x 42 cm

Have you noticed how the works of other artists make you notice things and scenes that seemed ordinary before. When I looked at this basket on my table, I thought of a painting that Judy did some time ago. Then I noticed the beautiful light and shadow patterns over the checkered tablecloth. And I couldn't resist...

First wash of the painting

I painted this opposite to  the normal watercolor technique - from light to dark. I started with the shadows and then added the light colors.

I remember how intimidated I used to be when painting on a large piece of paper. Now I like it, it makes me feel more inspired and excited.

Inferno, acrylic on canvas board, 30 x 23 cm

And this is just a playful experiment with pouring acrylics over a canvas-board. The result looks like a reflection of the atmosphere at the office in the last year :)

More sea scapes

Minimalist Seascape 4, oil on canvas board, 20 x 15 cm

This subject proved appropriate for trying new media, so I finally opened the box of water-soluble oil paints, which I've had for two years. Good I did, as they were starting to dry in the tubes.
Oils feel quite different. You have to use so much paint and it is hard to layer it without wiping the paint underneath. It is hard to apply the rule of thinner paint over thicker layer, if you want a fluid background. I don't know if I would have the patience to wait for days for the oil to dry before I can do the next stage... Well, that's in general. The little seascape above I did in one layer, with carefully adding the white surf and the seaweeds on the sand with the palette knife.

And the same subject in watercolor - just a simple wet-on-wet wash

Minimalist seascape 3, watercolor wash, 54 x 42 cm

Minimalist seascapes

Seascape 1, acrylic on canvas board, 30 x 23 cm

Seascape 2, acrylic on  stretched canvas, 50 x  40 cm (n/a)

My first attempts with acrylics. So far no big surprises. It is easy to make smooth color transitions, similar to the wet-on-wet watercolor washes. Paints dry fast so no risk of fussing and fiddling. And no need to preserve the white for the crashing waves. I am not sure I know what I am doing, but I've been enjoying it, and that's what matters.

Girl with hat

Girl with hat, watercolor 23 x 30 cm

A woman's face

Portrait of a woman, watercolor 23 x 30 cm

This is just a face from a magazine, not anyone I know. I wasn't trying to achieve resemblance, just focused on the washes that can bring up the features and was enjoying the process. This had an almost therapeutic effect on me, helped divert my thoughts from the nagging replaying of unpleasant situations. Creativity brings positive thoughts. So, friends, do go for it!

Toronto City Hall

Old City Hall, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

New City Hall, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

Two more views from Toronto - the old and the new city hall - two buildings with completely different styles. These are very geometric and required a lot of precision and attention. Not the type of subjects that promote a free style. I feel like painting something more lose, in more forgiving shapes next time...

Streetcars

Toronto Streetcar 1, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

Toronto Streetcar 2, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

Toronto Streetcar 3, watercolor 30 x 40 cm

Despite having turned into a typical north american metropolis, with a dense downtown packed with high-raises, there are still some things that give Toronto character. One of these things are the red streetcars. They make a good painting subject, both with their color and the classic look. Have to paint them now, before the city decides to replace them with modern aerodynamic vehicles.

These three paintings are survivors. They were each in a different state of completion when the basement, where my studio is, flooded. For a while water was spraying all over them. Surprisingly, watercolors proved quite resilient, and after carefully drying them I managed to save them and complete them all.

Light on the path

The bicycle path 1, watercolor 20 x 22 cm

This is a country bicycle path, where we cycled on the weekend. Apparently, it was the light that captured my imagination in this view.

The bicycle path 2, watercolor 20 x 22 cm

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea, watercolor 40 x 30 cm

It took me many attempts to find a way to paint this beautiful plant in a not too concrete style. It is not an easy one to simplify.
Bougainvillea makes me think of the white-washed Mediterranean villages. It spells warmth, serenity and beauty all in one. So, I could not resist the temptation to buy a small potted plant this spring, knowing all too well that it cannot survive the Canadian winter. Will it tolerate the air in the house? Remains to be seen...

bougainvillea studies

Bougainvillea 2, watercolor 40 x 30 cm