Photographer Oil Painting

"Focus"

16 x 20              Oil Painting

There is something about photographers that I love to paint.  Maybe its a sort of kinship I feel with another creative soul.  I had fun with mark making and bits of coloured fireflies with this painting.

Riverview Artists Show

I am thrilled to announce that I have been juried into the Riverview Artists Group. My first show with the group will be:  May 28th to June 1st 104 – 4th Ave. S.w. Sunlife Building. 

For more information please go to the Riverview Artists Website

A Close up

Nick Nack Paddy Wack 14 x 18 oil.  

I think I'm finally getting what Kevin Beilfuss was talking about at his workshop that I attended recently. ...The hits of colour or Fireflies as he calls them not only help to move your eye around but also help with the design of a painting..I read his article in the Artists on Art Magazine and I think I finally understand that the most important thing in a painting is the design and that the subject matter is secondary.  There are things I'd probably change about this painting next time but I think I'm understanding the concept better. Thanks Kevin!! Great Article!

Urban Painting by Donna MacDonald

Rush Hour       12 x 24         Oil

I was trying to capture the evening light in my latest urban painting. I think keeping the majority of the painting in dark values helped to bring your attention to the sunlight.

Canadian Landscape Painting

Moraine 9 x 12 Oil Knife Painting $450 Framed

This is another example of a knife painting that I did for my students at the Calgary School of Art.

I really need to get out to the mountains to get some new reference.  I have done several paintings of Moraine Lake and the Three Sisters varying the crop and sizes.  The risk of bear encounters has kept me from hiking in the mountains but I think I just need to get over my fear and get on with it =)

Girl Reading Book

"Little Women"

16 x 20    oil   Sold

This painting was done using a photo reference that Kevin Bielfuss was kind enough to share at his recent workshop in Florida

We learned about the use of "fireflies" to move the viewer's attention around the painting..

I am thrilled to announce the "Cantina" was awarded 2nd Place in the Canadian Federation of Artists,

Classic Painting Competition.

"Tractor Pull" Sold

6 x 6    oil

 

I am thrilled to announce the "Cantina" is a finalist in the Canadian Federation of Artists, Okanagan Chapter Contest

  

Calyx, is having their Spring Show this weekend. I will be showing on Sunday. Each day will have different artists displaying paintings, pottery,clothing, jewelry and sculptures. It has been rated by many as the best art show in the city! Come early for best selections as people usually line up to get in.  Every year I buy my Mother's Day and my Father's Day presents - the show is perfect timing!

Urban Painting

"Cross Dressing"

11 x 14          oil on linen 

I'm not sure if I will keep the name of this painting. I think there must be a better title out there, maybe referring to the suit versus the flip flops......any suggestions?

Vancouver Painting

On Guard            Oil             11x14

This piece has been accepted into the Federation of Canadian Artists and will be included in the 

Canvas Unbound Exhibition to be held in Vancouver May 1-13th.

Bartender Painting by Donna MacDonald

"Free Refill"     oil        6x6
Sold

There is a little Italian restaurant in the neighbourhood named Why Not Italian that we often go to on special occasions.  The food is fabulous and I love how the decor and waiter staff are very traditional.

Horse Painting

Two of a Kind      6 x 6       Oil  Sold

This is a good example of the light rule; if you have warm shadows you will have cool light.  When painting the lights I used just a touch of blue in the mixture which helps to make the lights look extra bright.   If the light was painted with a warm white the effect would not have been as dramatic.

Figurative Painting - My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady

5 x 7

This painting was done as an example of a knife painting for my class.  I did two examples, this one is done in acrylic.  One of the advantages to using a knife is that it forces you to see the large shapes and values.  You can't get too bogged down in the details because it is more difficult to manipulate paint with a knife.  I also find that it is easier to keep your color clean.  

I will post the second example which was done in oils tomorrow.

Child Painting

ABC's

6 x 6    Oil

I was thrilled to recently attend a workshop with Kevin Beilfuss.  This little painting is influenced by his use of color and abstract backgrounds.  It is definitely a departure from my usual palette but was fun to do.

One of the things he talked about was the use of "fireflies" to lead the viewer around your painting.  These are little hits of color that catch your eye. 

Point and Shoot Oil Painting

Point and Shoot Oil Painting 6x6

I really enjoy doing these little paintings. I snapped a photo of Kim English while taking one of his workshops through Art in the Aspens. He always had his trusty camera wrapped around his neck waiting for a moment of inspiration.

AyrSpace Artist's Showcase

I am honored to be included in the AyrSpace Artist's Showcase. My paintings have finally arrived in Ayr. They had been lost for the past couple of weeks which led to some very sleepless nights.

The show runs until April 15, 2012

WIP Morning Prep

I have been asked many times by students about how I start my paintings. When a subject is complicated with perspective it is helpful to do an underpainting to nail down the value pattern. Here I did an underpainting keeping it transparent.



Next I start introducing opaque paint, keeping my darks warm and my lights cool.

Then it is just a matter of filling in some of the blanks with suggestions of "stuff" using warm and cool colours. The final painting is 20 x 24" and is available at AyrSpace Gallery

Daniel J. Keys: Brushwork

I had the pleasure of meeting Daniel Keys while I was attending the first American Artist Weekend with the Masters. He is an amazing young artist who has become friends with Richard Schmid. After meeting him at this event Daniel has painted with Richard Schmid and enjoys his mentorship. As a way of paying it forward Daniel has a wonderful blog where he shares all kinds of great information. His latest entry is all about brushwork with some fantastic close up images of his work. Like they say "a picture is worth a thousand words."

Daniel J. Keys: Brushwork: "Connecticut Flower Farm" Like most 21st century artists, I find myself so often perusing the internet as a means of keeping up with the ...

The Line Up

The Line Up
24 x 36 oil
Available at AyrSpace Gallery, Ayr, Ontario

Federation of Canadian Artists Exhibition

Calgary Chapter Federation of Canadian Artist Show will be held this Saturday at the Edgemont Community Centre. There will be 145 paintings in the exhibition. 7 of my paintings will be in the show and I will be doing a demo during the morning.

Stop by and say hello if you can make it.

Portrait Workshop

I will be holding workshop at the Calgary School of Art on May 26th.

This workshop is intended for those wishing to explore portraiture in a loose and painterly manner.

This workshop will be an introduction to using head studies and gesture portraits as a way of increasing your skill level. Numerous small studies will be done which will help us in learning to get the "big picture" and not to get caught up in too many details.

We will be working from photos in the morning and a live model in the afternoon.

The demos will be done in oil but you may bring acrylics if you'd prefer. All skill levels welcome.

AyrSpace Gallery Artist Showcase

Artist Showcase - AyrSpace Gallery
44 Stanley Street
Ayr, Ontario N0B 1E0
510-632-9030

I am very excited and proud to announce that I will be exhibiting at the AyrSpace Gallery as one of their showcase artists. It is located in Ayr, Ontario

SPRING HOURS - commencing Wednesday March 14, 2012
Wednesday & Thursday 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday evenings 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m.

Urban Painting by Donna MacDonald

"Raining Cats and Dogs"
18 x 24 Oil
Sold

I just realized that I hadn't posted this Urban painting yet, so I thought I'd share the progression of the work.

In the first step I worked out the composition with a tone.

It will be shown at the upcoming Federation of Canadian Artists show in Calgary, at the Edgemont Community Centre, March 10, 2012

Mother and Child Painting

A Book Shared
$495 Oil on Linen

A good friend of mine has been kind enough over the years to lend me photographs of her grandchildren to use as reference. I am so grateful to her for this. This painting was inspired by one of these photos.

Figurative Painting by Donna MacDonald

Cantina
9x 12 Oil Sold

We were in the Bahamas a few years ago and snapped the photo reference for this painting. I had recently read, can't remember where, that there are 3 phases when painting, Analytical, Creative, then Analytical again. This was definitely an AHA moment for me.

During the first phase I spend a long time doing thumbnail sketches, trying to come up with good design and colour scheme; sometimes doing a colour sketch as well. Then once my brush hits the canvas my creative side comes into play. My best work is done when I no longer look at the reference but instead analyze what it is that the painting "needs". (the 3rd phase) The reference then becomes just a jumping off point.

Urban Painting by Donna MacDonald

Urban Trees
18 x 24 Oil painting
Available at Swirl Fine Art
$795 framed
These amazing sculptural trees made of steel tower over the streets of Calgary, Alberta. I moved the central car over to the right and lightened it to improve the composition. Then I added a few people for interest.

Kevin Beilfuss Workshop

12 x 16 Oil

I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with Kevin Beilfuss in January. It was fabulous! Not only did I get to beat some of the Canadian winter but studied under a very kind and generous instructor.

He showed us many demonstrations and we were able to work from a fantastic model every day. One of the analogies he used which I found very helpful was to think about how you move the viewer's eyes around your painting - lead them with "fireflies." Hits of color not only adds visual interest but also works to improve your composition.

The last day we were able to paint a long pose and this is my effort.

Urban Painting by Donna MacDonald

Daylights
24 x 36 Oil
Available at Swirl Fine Art
$1,325 Framed
This painting will be available at Swirl Fine Art, Calgary. The reference was taken this past summer. I love the dome on top of the Canadian Pacific Railway walkway. It is a familiar landmark for Calgarians.