nearby

  

$70 - 6x6" original oil painting with 1" painted sides.

Painting groups don't have to stop painting together just because of a virus. Artists friends everywhere are sharing photo references online and painting from home 'together'! A wonderful group I paint with began doing this. Each week we'll all paint from the same photos, then share our paintings via social media. It's nice to know fellow artists are nearby. 

Portraits Workshop - APRIL 25, '20

SATURDAY APRIL 25, 2020!

I'll be teaching a Portraits Workshop here in Toronto with the Willowdale Group of Artists. I'm really looking forward to it. 

Here's the description - 

PORTRAITS

with Nora MacPhail

In this workshop we will explore an approach to portraits using an easy-to-remember way to block-in. This method includes using measurements for finding facial features, as well as using comparisons to find a likeness. Common mistakes and how to improve them will also be reviewed. No more struggling with egg heads and wonky eyes. ; ) 

I will do demos using photographs. Artist will be doing lots of drawing (bring your sketchbooks!) and we will be painting with watercolour. 

CONTACT ADELE - wgaworkshops@gmail.com

MEDIUM - Watercolour (and Drawing Materials).

PHOTOS - Bring your copyright free reference photos of adults (no children - those measurements are different). Try to find photos that are close ups of the head and shoulders with contrasting lighting. I will bring extra photos for participants to work from.

MATERIALS - 

Bring painting supplies you like and what you’re used to. Materials list is attached.

You can check out my work on Instagram at noramacphailart or my online art gallery at -  https://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/nora-macphail-1599

SEE YOU THERE!

Bella

SOLD - $120 - 9x12"original watercolour painting

I've been painting this lovely model for 19 years now. I believe she was the first life model I ever drew. It's always a lovely surprise when she shows up for our session.
Meanwhile, portraits aren't getting easier... just different. Here's a detail - 

just looking

$60 - 5x7" original watercolour painting with 8x10"acid-free mat.

Ready to pop into a store bought frame.

These colourful friends are looking around, just checking things out. 

Art Show This Weekend!

I'll be there! Me and my paintings. Hope to see you there too! 

Save the Date!

If you're in Toronto, this is the first of a few group art shows I'll be in before the holidays. Over 20 of artists in this one! Hope to see you there!!

bunny sip

$60 - original 8x10"watercolour painting 

Little stuffed bunny wants a sip too. ; )

tortoise shell glasses and a grey cat

$100 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

I love the way this portrait, or should I say portraits, asks the viewer to move their eyes back and forth from the woman to the cat, to the woman, to the cat, to the woman... well you get the idea. ; )

Art Show and Artists at Work!

This Wednesday May 2 is the opening for the Don Valley Art Club Art Sale at Todmorden Mills - 67 Pottery Road, Toronto! I'll be there from 7-9pm. 

Also (!) on Sunday May 6 from 2-5pm, a bunch of us will be at the gallery painting portraits. We plan to sit for each other for 25 minutes. So you can come out and see the art AND the artists at work. Everyone Welcome! Free!

a friendly face

$80 - 8x10"original watercolour painting

When I saw this face I knew I had to paint him. I really enjoyed painting his green yellow eyes and all of that mane. I didn't realize that the farther back the mane goes, the darker it gets. Such a beautiful animal. Ferocious, yet such a warm likeable face. 

to long friendships

$100 - 8x10" original watercolour painting

These flowers fell together like an old bunch of friends. 

I love the little brown cup, which I've had it for some time and painted before. I'd forgotten about it and, stumbling across it this morning, I though small pink flowers would look cute in it.

: )

a subtle hint

 

$100 - 6x11"watercolour painting

A few white buds amongst some strong pink friends.

Daily Paintworks!!

I've now got all of my paintings for sale over at Daily Paintworks!

I was with Etsy, but the site is a bit clumsy and complicated to manuveur. Etsy makes everyone sign in, create a password and have an account. Ugg.

At Daily Paintworks, a simple click on the PayPal button and you're good to go! No signing in required. You can register if you want, they have lots of amazing artists to check out, or you can just put in your shipping region/country and make your purchase. : )

I think my clients and I will be much happier at DPW with a simple PayPal/Credit button!

Willowdale Group of Artists

11x14" - watercolour

At the Willowdale Group of Artists we gather in groups of three, all at one table, to paint each other. Setting up this way means we are sitting VERY close to one another. No where else do I draw so close to the subject. It's makes one a bit self-conscious, but it also forces one to really look! It's great. This painting is one of my new favourites.

Red Prairie Lillies

$60 - 5x7"watercolour painting with 8x10"mat.

I am continuing to work through all the provincial flowers of Canada in celebration of Canada150. These beautiful red and orange lilies can be found across the prairies of Saskatchewan.

All paintings are now for sale through Daily Paintworks. : )

Portrait of Helen

I began this watercolour portrait at my last Life Drawing Session. There is never enough time... so I didn't quite finish. I was able to complete it at home while looking in a mirror and, as a result, Helen ended up looking a bit like me!

8x10"watercolour painting

Alberta Wild Rose

SOLD

$60 - 5x7"painting with 8x10"mat

It's Canada's 150 Birthday this year! So, I thought I'd paint some provincial flowers. I started with Alberta, the province I grew up in.
close ups - 

a flying start

$150 - 11x14"watercolour painting

I decided to bring the new year in with a big still life set up! 

Here are some close ups - 

Gary with his coat on

Portrait of a friend. 8x10" 

watercolour.

quiet thought

8x10" watercolour painting

Still pluggin' away and trying to find my place in the world of portraiture!