The first day (see below) we tackled painting on a toned canvas with a loose sketch. This process is the one she uses when painting plein air and one that I have used many times myself.

For me it usually involves getting through the initial block in then having to wipe a portion of the painting off and readjust the sketch. :) Foreshortening is an issue of mine that always seems to rears its head when I am painting. In this case I had to readjust the position and size of the building.

The second day (see below) we drew a tonal sketch on a toned canvas using the grid system. I have never been a fan of the grid system and have not used it since university. But workshops are about trying new things so… using the grid made drawing effortless. Foreshortening issues were not present as the grid lines gave reference to where everything needed to go. I had my sketch down in less than five minutes and spend about another five putting in values as a guide for the painting. Hmmmm, maybe I should use it more. :)

Day three (see below) we continued with the value sketch and painting as Sarah made her way around the class giving advice and direction. She has to be the only instructor I know that does not paint on students work. She prefers to guide and have the student make the adjustments. For me, it was invaluable.

One idea that stuck out for me was that you can adjust shapes over and over when working wet into wet. If you make a nose to big, cut it back in with the background colour. Make an arm to skinny, add more paint to make it wider. Over and over, corrects can be made until you are happy with it.

If you have a chance to take one of her workshops, you can be confident that you will get something out of it. Below are the painting I completed in sequence.

I am giving a photography workshop to a full crowd at the FCA Gallery this Thursday the 23rd.

The course goes through the steps needed to photograph your artwork with the best results every time. I go over camera settings, software to use, colour correction, distortion correction, luminosity, sharpening and resizing. It sounds like a lot, but once you understand what to do, you get a great image with little effort.

For those interested I have a second course on October 7th from 6 to 9pm at the FCA Gallery on Granville Island. Sign up at the FCA website.

Wow! The unveiling event was fantastic. There was at least 150 people in attendance and the room was just packed.

Artists had paintings hanging on the wall that were lit to perfection. And the energy in the room was really positive.

The presentation to introduce Eva and what the 65 red roses represented was inspiring to say the least. The fact that she has helped so many others with CF will always be a part of her memory.

At the end of the ceremony, the mural was unveiled by all the artists that were in attendance that night. I think there must have been over 40 people on stage to pull the one black cloth off. To see all the paintings in one mural was great. Each painting was distinct and people were taking their time looking over the entire panel.

All in all, it was a great evening.

Read more about the 65 Red Roses Event :: The Auction at Maynards on June 16th :: Eva's Legacy

This marks stage two of the painting. Getting in the darker value at the back has started to make everything come forward a little more. Once the greens are established it should really melt into the background. More later….

I thought I would just show my progress of the rose I am painting for the mural – "65 Red Roses". This is stage 1. Before I proceed this layer needs to dry.

If I have time, I have another idea for a painting that I want to explore. If I do, I'll be posting it here as well.

65 Red Roses is another mural project that I am involved in. This time, not just as an artists but also as a coordinator. This project is the initiative of Angie Au Hemphill, artists and board member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Sixty five artist from the FCA are painting one single read rose on an 8×10" panel. These panels will be grouped together into one large mural and presented to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The mural will be auctioned off and all proceeds will go to the CCFF.

The unveiling of the mural will be on May 15 at Performance Works (map) on Granville Island. Come down and see what it is all about!

An old painting I did awhile back has recently been accepted into the ‘Abstract" show with the FCA.

It took me less than an hour to block in the main aspects of the painting, but it took three days to complete it. Getting the yellow streak in the spot that just felt right took a lot of effort.

The painting represents how one voice, indicated by the yellow, in a sea of existing thinking is needed to start change.

The painting will be on display and sale at the FCA Gallery between May 5 – 17, 2009.