After the last class

Our last drawing class for this session is over and I hope people enjoyed it as much as I did. The last 4 classes featured drawing demonstrations and lessons by guest artists, Bonny Baker, Peter Smith, Ray Sanford and Cluny Maher. Each of these accomplished artists has a style and approach to drawing that is unique to them. I hope that students are encouraged to seek there own style and develop an approach to drawing that suits their own personality and artistic goals.

I have been inspired by examining the work of other artists (including my students!) and here are some  recent examples from my sketch book.

 These first 2 are little compositional sketches. They are 4 x 4 inches. These are a little larger than my normal thumbnails so they give me more room to experiment within the format.
this is a great way to improve your painting and drawing. It is not about accurate shapes so much as it is about design on a 2 dimensional surface,
Thanks Andi for inadvertently leaving your book behind - I love new art books.

These next 2  are the same drawing at different stages. After watching Cluny's demonstration, I decided to work on this drawing a bit more

 Evans farm 1 ( 5 x 10 inches)

 Evans farm 2 (5 x 10 inches)
 I added a lot more value and detail and used a blending pen to do some of the shading. I had never seen these pens before and they give some interesting results. I think the pen has a mixture of glycerin and rubbing alcohol in it. It makes the graphite act like water soluble pencil. It also "fixes" the graphite so you can't erase but you can add more on top. Thanks for the pens Sheila.

Here are 4 more just for fun - Happy drawing everyone

 Pine (7 x 10 inches)

 Aylesford Farm (7 x 10 inches)

 Stone barn (6 x 10 inches)

2hr parking (7 x 8 inches)

The Eyes Have It

 As part of my own drawing practice I have been working on facial features - the eyes.

 I have drawn pages of eyes

 and more pages of eyes

Here's looking at you

Calendar painting - step by step

"Snow and Blowing Snow" Watercolour, 13.3 x 21.5 inches.

 Painted for the 2014 Sharing the View Calendar. This is a project organized by CBC, Information Morning, Halifax and Sydney Nova Scotia.
All proceeds from calendar sales and the online auction of the 12 original paintings by 12 Nova Scotian artists are donated to Feed Nova Scotia. Calendars go on sale November 15 and the online auction begins. Check out the CBC info morning web site for details.

I am thrilled to be part of this project and thought that i would share some of the process that went into making this painting.

 Drawing number 1 - I am working out the composition

 

Drawing number 2 - this is better

 

Getting ready

 

getting the drawing on the watercolour paper

 

The final outline - ready for paint

 

The first wash

 

starting on the buildings

 

ready for the foreground

 

adjusting the value on the barn 

 

adding the final details and it is done

More Drawing Class

The people in my drawing class are doing a great job and I see so much development!
A big Yahoo for all of you.

This week we examined some of the challenges of working from photographs. These pictures of some of the demonstrations I did during the class, some of the prep work that I did before the class and my home work - the piece that I started during class and took home to finish. I know every one is working on their finished landscape drawing.

The charcoal drawing of Reggie (above) was a demonstration of taking measurements, proportion and sight lines on a photo just the same way I do it when drawing from life. The difference is that the dog sits still in the photo.

This charcoal landscape was done before the class. I did another similar one as a demonstration.

 There are a lot of interesting elements in this photo. I chose to focus on the shadow pattern on the oil tank. The windows and doors are another subject for another drawing.

This is a very charming subject but the values need to be adjusted to make the elements make sense.

Last is my "homework". I got as far as laying in the main value pattern in the class and made some changes and added the details and textures the next day.

Our first drawing class

Sunday was our first drawing class and one of the exercises I asked the class to do is that old chestnut "drawing from an up side down image" to fool yourself into letting go of drawing what you think it is and just drawing what you see. One of the sources I used was a drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger. I made an ink tracing of his drawing for us to work from. I thought you might like to see what the original looked like. It is a lovely, sensitive work in chalk.
Your home work this week is to practice contour drawings and try to do at least 20 minutes practice each day.
Here is my 20 minute sketch made while I waited for an appointment.

2 studio views and a new painting

It is hard to find time to paint this time of year but I am getting back into my studio a couple of times a week - yahoo!

Buoys in red and white ( 10 x 14 inches)

Studio 1

Studio 2

My paintings at Swoon

The farm show at Swoon will be up for another week. There is always more than just the feature shows going on at Swoon and Brandt can set up a great display of art any where in the house. The bathroom is a little gallery and is hung with some of my work. It is just off the main room where the farm show is hung. Drop in before the 28th if you can.

The Farm show at Swoon

Swoon Fine Art and Antiques is having another juried show in July. I was delighted to have 2 of my submissions chosen. The show opens on Saturday July 6.

Tupperville Farm (13.5 x 21.5 inches)

Winter cattle (10 x 20 inches)

At the Book Launch

The book launch was a great party - lots of good food, good conversation, a reading by Kate Rose of her animal rhymes, and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all who attended and helped to make this such a fun event. A special thanks to my angels; Deb, Janel and Lorraine who did food and flowers.
Congratulations to Susan Friend who won the "Great Email list door prize"

                                Book signing, Kate and I

                               A happy crowd

                                            Chatting at the launch

                                Fabulous food

                                      The "Email list" door prize

                                The original illustrations were on display

                                                Kate is just as lovely as she looks!

Sharing The View

YAHOO!

I have been selected as one of the 12 artists in the province to be represented on the 2014 calendar produced by CBC's Information Morning, Halifax. The calendar sales and online auction of the original art works go to support Feed Nova Scotia I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this project and delighted to be included on a list of artist whose work I admire so much. This year's artists are: Celeste Friesen Nikkel, Geoff Butler, Shelley Mansel, F Scott MacLeod, Christopher Gorey, Louise Williams, Monika Wright, Lio Lo, Su Rogers, Geoffrey Grantham, Wayne Leal, Barbara McLean

The theme this year is "Nova Scotia, My Home". You can follow the live broadcasts as they introduce all of the artists and of course, keep an eye on the Sharing the View website.  On the mainland: www.cbc.ca/informationmorningns and click on the sharing the view icon. 
I will be painting a winter scene and hope to make posts as the painting progresses - Stay tuned!

Book Launch and Exhibition

Here is the poster with all the info!

Animal ABCs

 It is here at last! 

 This project has been some time in the making but I finally have copies of my ABC book. It is hard cover, 8.5 x 11 inches, and full colour.

I am particularly pleased to announce that I am partnering with the IWK Health Centre Foundation. (The IWK Health Centre provides quality care to women, children, youth and families in the Maritime provinces and beyond.) A portion of all sales of the book will be donated to the Foundation.

Books retail at $19.95 plus shipping and handling
They can be found at selected shops or ordered directly from me by calling 902-532-1955 or email at lwilliamsstudio@gmail.com

 I hope you enjoy the illustrations as much as I enjoyed making them and delight in Kate's animal rhymes from A to Z.

 I am proud to be a supporter of the IWK








Books retail at $19.95 plus shipping and handling
They can be found at selected shops or ordered directly from me by calling 902-532-1955 or email at lwilliamsstudio@gmail.com