"Nicolle" oil 8 x 10

Nicolle, one of our artists, took a turn in the sitter's seat at the Goward House Portrait Painters group today.

Apart from the technical need to get a likeness, we also try to reach for some feeling or emotion in the work -  who knows when a painting has feeling - it's inanimate, but I think I know what they mean - a sense of pleasantness and beauty.

Anyway, your COMMENTS (see below) are welcome.

Brass Rubbing 6 x 8 demo by Pat Hindmarch-Watson

At a meeting of artists in Oak Bay this week, Pat Hindmarch-Watson demonstrated the fine old art of brass rubbing and invited several of us to try our hand - this is my rubbing. Pat kept a friendly and helpful eye over my attempt and I'm delighted by the result. Thanks Pat.  We used a special black paper imported from England and rubbed over a genuine brass using  a wax crayon made with brass powder it seems. What fun.  Isn't art wonderful? So different from working with a brush - here's my 6 x 8 oil sketch completed the same day entitled "The Fire Hydrant."

You know you can enlarge these images by clicking on them. Please use the COMMENT feature below.



"Ann" portrait sketch oil 8 x 10

If you're an artist and the sitter you've engaged doesn't appear for this week's session of the Goward House Portrait Painters then it's understood that YOU have to sit instead!

This happened to Ann this week.

Usually at these sessions Ann works with her iPad2 creating portraits in her own unique style. Go to Facebook and search "Goward House Portrait Painters" and check out her digital art, amongst the dozen or so pencil- and brush-wielding artists.

"Mt.Doug from Mt.Tolmie" oils - colour note, 11 x 14

A sunny but cold and windy morn atop Mount Tolmie facing Mount Douglas --
I may decide to paint a large painting here in my studio later but I need this plein air colour note to remind me of the yellow moss, the green grass and the slate-grey rock.
(I don't wish to be reminded of that chilly breeze...) brrrrr

"Nicolas" iPad2 drawing

'Still with the steep learning curve of "painting" with my finger on my iPad2 screen - this is Nicolas who sat for us at the Goward House Portrait Painters today.
I selected the "chalk" setting with the soft edge and had a ball choosing outrageous colors. This took about two hours and I was zonked afterwards - it was exhausting (I must be an artist)....
Click on the image to see a bigger version.
Thanks, your COMMENT will be helpful.

"Mount Tolmie" oil 11 x 14 plein air

Today I perched on the side of Mount Tolmie in Victoria BC and painted the suburb below. One-and-a-quarter hours in quite good weather. I was drawn by the leafless Garry Oak silhouetted against the shadow side of the rock.
One thing about painting versus photography is that I was able to put ME into the work - I mean HOW I personally felt about the scene - the strength, the light, the exhuberance.

Here is a pic I took after I had finished:

All in all, a good day to be painting outside.

Yes, the original IS for sale. Email me for details.

You know you can click on the images to see a bigger view.

Here's an iPad2 drawing I did of my plein air painting:

Cheers

Ron

"Ron Wilson" acrylic profile by Jim McFarland

My buddy Jim McFarland painted this profile of me while we're on location in Saanich. (He was tempted to put a little stick tree on "my canvas" but thought better of it) - it would have been hilarious!

"Just a face" iPad2 sketch

Amazing. I sketched this face on our new iPad2 - just a face, it was too snowy for this South Afrcan born artist to go driving all the way to the Goward House Portrait Painters session so I stayed at home and experimented with the iPad. I made up the face - it's no one in particular.  Technology today is ammaaazzing doll! Click the image to see a bigger picture.

"Maria" portrait at Goward House

My first portrait on  an iPad2 -- the finger painting takes a bit of learning, I feel like a caveman already. Our sitter today is Maria:



My thanks to Ann Wheatcroft for 'pointing out' the controls to me. It is a steep learning curve. Exhausted after the effiort, I retreated to my good 'ol oil paints and I did a small 6 x 8 monochrome oil of Maria:

Maybe I'll give it another go again at Goward House some time. But what a lotta fun.

"The Legislature" in pencil 9 x 12

I am planning an oil of this scene at some time in the winter so this morning I went down to the "Ledge" (as it's known by the locals in Victoria BC) and did this quick pencil study just to do a bit of prep work.

Bruce Stotesbury of the Times-Colonist was taking photographs at the Legislature in Victoria BC and he took this front page pic of Frank Mitchell and myself in action at the paint-out.

Thanks Bruce.

Ron



"Farm Shed - Saanich" oil 12 x 16

A studio painting of the shed at the edge of the property,  Hunt Valley Farm. The winding path and the thick leafy trees caught my attention, apart from the shed of course...
Yes, I simplified the scene somewhat - (artists are good at shifting trees around) but the painting IS true to the spirit of this farm.
I like colour, so I've used a variety of yellows and greens, subdued into submission!

NOTE: Click on any image to see a bigger picture...

"He-who-sees-far" oil 11 x 14

Portraits have been much on my mind and on my canvas lately - this chief in his ceremonial headdress was my Christmas day and Boxing Day project. I painted this using only WARM colours, mostly burnt sienna, raw sienna, orange, raw umber and white.  I learnt a lot from it.

"Sea Stacks" oil 20 x 24

We came across these amazing rocks off the Oregon coast - a search on the Internet revealed that sea stacks are formed through a process of eruption and erosion. Anyway, I like the greening of them all, like banners in the wind. I had fun with the impressionist pebbles on a realistic beach. Click the image to see the big picture.

"Kelsey" oil 11 x 14

Kelsey sat for the portrait painters of Goward House recently. I was a bit rushed on this three-hour painting so I re-painted her left eye when I got it home. I reckoned it was a bit high during my first rendering of her.

Three portrait sketches at Goward House

While were waiting for Fatality (our model) to arrive today we did a sketch of Ken, one of our portrait artists at Goward House today. Conte pencil and watercolour. We still had a couple of minutes:

So we did another quickie of ken. Charcoal on canvas. Then our designated model Faye (Fatality) arrived straight from her class at UVic. This is my two-and-a-half hour oil sketch of her:

She said afterwards that she liked my portrait 'cos it made her look like a witch but I thought this was her THOUGHTFUL mode - anyway, she DID like it after all, and y'know the rule - if you sit you get to choose which portrait to take home - no charge.

Our portrait session started at 1pm and ended with a Show 'n Tell at 4pm. I'm glad for the chance to have done three sketches in this time.

"Elk Lake Reeds" oil on stretched canvas 16 x 20

First a small thumbnail sketch done in pencil on scrap paper (why waste) to work out the composition.

Something bothered me though. After breaking it down to the essential shapes I realised that I had to lose the boathouse because the composition was getting too busy and I was in danger of getting two subjects in one, if you know what I mean.

So I left out the rowing club and painted Elk Lake with the reed shapes alone.

 Much better.

Click on the image to see an enlargement. Your opinion is welcome, is keeping it simple better? Click on the small white envelope below to email me direct. Or click on COMMENTS so that the others can see your thoughts too...the more diverse the opinions, the better.
Thanks

Ron



"Nefertiti" 8 x 10 oil on plywood

What exquisite beauty. Hats off to the person who cast this ORIGINAL 3-D image, what good practice it is for a portrait painter!
I painted this on re-claimed wooden plywood.The cracks and fissures show, adding credibility to the rendering.
Click image to enlarge it.

Pencil practice - sketches of the art group

I feel that the occasional doodle on paper is priceless - it not only sharpens your skills but your pencil aswell! Sketches bordering on caricature that I made at a weekly gathering of portrait painters at Goward House.

"Jim" 11 x 14 oil

If it's Tuesday it must be Goward House. Our sitter today is Jim, ex-army, jovial, and at ease. You know the rule, if you sit for the dozen or so portrait artists for three hours at Goward House you get to take home the portrait of your choice free of charge. I was pleased when he chose mine, I lost a canvas but I gained much experience from the session. I was the winner here.

My thanks to Captain Bill McKechnie for the photograph.

"Classic Dinghy" oil sketch approx. 7x7 inches

A clinker built dinghy is a classic. I saw this one at the Classic Boat Festival at the Inner Harbour in Victoria BC recently. Lots of brightwork on all sides.

"Fall, Beacon Hill Park's mayor's Grove" oil 8 x 10

Rain, rain, rain but not a pain because the colours are soft and intense - ideal for painting. This is my favourite tree in the fall, I've painted it at least three times over the years. One can cope with the rain IF...

...if one can keep one's canvas from the wet drops. This sign board offered some protection and I erected my painting umbrella too. My  blood is still too warm for the cold weather but I dressed in many layers! The oil sketch is available - please check Fine Art America http://ron-wilson.fineartamerica.com/ for the details.

"Superintendent Frank" oil 11 x 14



Super Frank sat for about a dozen portrait painters at Goward House today. We spoke about how our respective families are blessed with what my folks called 'a Roman nose.' I think it's a sign of nobility but that's just an opinion... I can quite see this noble Caesar gazing out over his Legions of many soldiers!

"Bald Eagle" w/c pencil on gesso board 8 x 10

 Benjamin Franklin didn't think that the bald eagle was appropriate as an American national symbol.
Granted, although he thought the eagle was magnificent, he rather fancied the hard-working characteristics of the ... can you guess?  Keith said the turkey. Thnx Keith, I also heard he liked the osprey: "Bald eagles are notorious for stealing fish from ospreys. In fact, this was one of the reasons why founding father Benjamin Franklin did not want the bald eagle to be America’s national symbol. Franklin thought the eagle was lazy because it would wait for the osprey to catch a fish, then harass the osprey in mid-air until the smaller raptor dropped its prize. "

But mostly the researchers agree that he fancied the turkey. Good one, buddy.

Fine Art America is now offering this original drawing and a number of prints for sale. Go to http://ron-wilson.fineartamerica.com/ for prices.

You can see a bigger version of the drawing if you click on the image above. Then press your BACK button to return,  and it'll be great if you could leave me a response or ask a question - click on COMMENTS below. Or click on the tiny white envelope to send me an email.
Thanks

Ron

"Tom" Conte pencil on Robert Bateman paper

I was supposed to be painting with the ALFS outdoors this morning but it rained cats and dogs, so I drew indoors instead.

A very patient Tom sat for me. We worked for forty minutes. Anyhow, I like this portrait not because it's good but because I see now that this jerky, rough way of drawing is unique - no one else I know draws like this. The style is mine, I have been doing it like this for thirty years or more - perhaps I'll post an earlier one some time - as a comparison.
I'm glad I have a STYLE  - it's something one cannot force, it just comes with time.

Click Tom's image to see an enlargement,  then (at the top right of the new window) click it off at the X to return here -- please drop me a line (click on "comments" below here) that'll be great!
Thanks,

Ron
Fortunately the pencil portrait kinda looks like Tom. Corry likes it.

When Sargent's sitters ever complained about their likenesses (it didn't often happen) he used to tease them by saying "you can always fix it when you get it home..."

"Pat Bay Berry Tree" oil 6 x 8

I arrived late for the morning's paint-out with the Al Frescoes. Frank looked at his watch and said that I had 45 minutes to get my work done before Show 'n Tell time at noon!

So, liking a challenge, I went ahead and dashed off this lil' 6 x 8 in 42 minutes. Does it work? COMMENTS (see below) are invited.

"Alannah" oil 14 x11

After a summer break I returned to the Goward House Portrait Painters to find the dozen or so artists in good form. Our sitter today sat very still yet I didn't think I got a good likeness after the three-hour session - you can't win 'em all,  painting is a lot like golf, some times you miss,  some times you are on par.
Anyhow, I was happy with my colors and brushwork even if I wasn't exactly accurate in my portrayal. So I went back after a couple weeks and re-painted her eyes. Still not an exact likeness but more pleasing than my first rendering ...

Click the painting for a bigger view.   X it off your screen at rop right when you're done.



"High Wind at Cattle Point" oil 16 x 20

I actually saw this bird (a female Brewer's Blackbird) clinging to a twig, facing into the wind just as a schooner was sailing by. I was struck by the scene and vowed to paint it just as it appeared on that windy wintery morning at Cattle Point, Victoria BC. According to Wikipedia, the Brewer's Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) is a medium-sized New World blackbird, named after the ornithologist Thomas Mayo Brewer. (They like to be near water, feed on insects, and need not have to migrate).

If you click on the image you'll get a bigger view, then press your BACK button to return here.
Your COMMENT on the style and the mood of this piece is welcome (click the word COMMENTS below, or for a private and direct email to me, click on the tiny white envelope).

"Sunbeams Under the Sea" (Poster) acrylic

My "Sunbeams" got third prize at the outdoor Gallery-by-the-Sea on the Fish Hut at the end of the Sidney Pier in BC. Nicceee....

"Dodge Truck" oils on canvas 8 x 10

We came across this surviving Dodge truck on the quay at Telegraph Cove, Vancouver Island. At a guess I would say that it dates back to the war years 1939-1945. If you know the actual year of manufacture, please let me know by clicking on COMMENT below and sending a message

. Thanks, Ron

"Sea Stacks" oils 20 x 24

I learnt that the rocks of these vertical columns are firmer than the surrounding material, so,  through the erosion process over thousands of years these sea stacks are formed. Anyway, they make excellent subjects for the artist. I found them on the coast of  Washington State. I decided to render them with a looser approach than the style I usually employ.

If you click on the image you can see a larger view.

Your COMMENT is welcome

"Crows" acrylic 8 x 10

 
"Crows" at Cridge Park in downtown Victoria BC. Plein air.

"Wild Sweetpeas" oil 11 x 14 plein air

Wild sweetpeas paint the slopes of the Dallas Road Cliffs in Victoria.
It was a strange morning because fog rolled in and hid the horizon for at least forty minutes. Some artists packed up and left, others stood around and chatted until the weather cleared. And it did.
Click on the image for a bigger view then press your BACK button to return here, and leave a COMMENT if you will - feedback is welcome.

"Aubergine Specialty Foods" oil 8 x 10

This painterly shop is in Fernwood, Victoria BC.  Specialising in Canadian, South African and British fare, it sells fresh produce and coffees, biscuits, cereals, jams, and boerewors.  It's in a trendy neighbourhood complete with a theatre, coffee shops and art galleries.

If you click on this image you'll see a bigger picture but afterwards use your BACK button to return here. COMMENTS are welcome.

Harpoon Rock photograph and painting



This is the actual photo I took after I had finished my two-hour painting. Next is the painting itself - "Harpoon Rock" at Harling Point in Victoria BC. Acrylic on canvas 8 x 10, painted en plein air.

 I learnt that Harpoon Rock is an ERRATIC, dragged down to the seashore during the ice age some fifteen-thousand years ago! Not only that, the rock had religious significance to a local tribe.

This painting of mine suggests different things to different people. What do YOU see? I see a face or perhaps the rear of a bear:

"Cattle Point Revisted" oils 8 x 10

"It's MY party and I'll cry if I wanna..." I was unhappy about my first rendering of this scene so I went back and changed it.

 COMMENTS welcome...you can CLICK on the image to make it appear bigger.