The Painting Process

People frequently ask about my technique and the use of watercolours with pastels. The paper that I prefer is Rives BFK printmaking paper. It is fully archival and has a smooth surface that allows me to paint freely without imposing a texture. Because it comes in white and working in pastel on a white surface can be difficult, I like to start with a watercolour underpainting.

Once I have let the underpainting dry, I start to work with the pastels. In some areas, I will let the watercolour stand alone, in other areas, I enhance or even replace the watercolour with the pastel. I work with the painting until I reach a point where many areas are resolved and it is time to pause. I call this the 80/20 point. About 80% of a painting is completed in about 20% of the total time. The remaining 20% - the fine tuning and resolution - takes about 80% of the time.

During this final stage of the painting, I place it where I will see it in passing frequently during the day. Everytime I see it, it will show me something. Some things are good, some things will need modifying. I evaluate the painting - does it represent the feeling I had when I stood there? Over a few days, I will determine what the painting needs to complete it.

Lair of the Northern Pike
19x13 pastel and watercolour

Unusual spots in the Okanagan

Here in the Okanagan, we expect to see mountains and lakes, wineries and beaches, pine trees and sage brush but occasionally we find a spot which is unexpected. If you take a walk up Mission Creek on Phase 2 of the Greenway, you will go up through a canyon with very interesting rock formations and a variety of vegetation.

This spring, I took the opportunity to paint this canyon. The colours were the fresh greens of spring contrasting the ochres and siennas of the rock faces.

I always enjoy seeking out the unusual corners of our valley. If you know of an unusual place, please let me know by adding a comment to this post.

Accepted to Art Walk 2009!

I am very pleased to annouce that I have been accepted to exhibit in Lake Country's 16th annual Art Walk. This event will be held in Winfield on September 12 and 13, 2009.

This will be the first chance I have had to exhibit my pastels and mixed media work. I will also be exhibiting some of my plein aire (done on location) paintings.