April Reflections Lake Brome

April Reflections, Lake Brome
16 x 20 inches, oil/canvas

                               

This is the view from our cottage in the Easter Townships in Quebec in early spring.  I find the beauty of the mountains and the lake breathtaking, and I never tire of looking at it.  There will more paintings of Lake Brome to come.

Below are a few images that show how the painting evolves from the initial under painting to the final work.  The under painting is an essential element of my painting process.  It allows me to quickly visualise the relationship of composition, shape and tone.

The canvas is toned, wiped down and then large shape are quickly drawn in.  The clouds are painted in with a broad gestural stroke to get the feeling of how they sweep across the sky.

Here is the finished under painting.  The clouds and their reflections in the water are more resolved This under painting is an initial blue print for the colour that will follow once the surface is dry.

This is the first layer of colour.  The whole canvas is worked up with colour.  When it is dry a second layer of colour is laid in.  Below is the finished painting.  The colours and shapes have greater detail and they have  evolved from the initial under painting.  Painting clouds reflecting into the water was a great challenge!

Mist Study in Blue and Pink

Mist Study in Blue and Pink
oil/canvas, 11 x 14 inches

In keeping with my idea of painting small studies, I wanted to do a painting that used a limited palette of red (Pyrrole red) and blue (cobalt blue).  I am drawn to foggy and misty subjects for many reasons.  I can avoid details and focus on large positive and negative shapes.  The simple silouhettes allow me to put my energy and attention on the colour.  Mist has a dreamy and ephemeral quality that makes places seem mysterious.

I will be showing this painting,along with a few others in a group show at the Galerie de la Ville, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, QC.  The show will run from Sunday, July 6 to Sunday, August 3, 2014.  All are welcome!  The vernissage is on Sunday July 6th from 1 - 3 pm.

Cloud Study

Cloud Study, 14 x 18  inches, oil/canvas

It has been a long while since I have posted any paintings or process studies.  As you know, sometimes life gets in the way of the things we want to do.  Between teaching, organising events like ArtNow Westmount, the Victoria Village Artwalk as well as other things that life demands of me, my blog has had to wait.  I hope to remedy this situation in the coming months.  Right now, I am just working on small paintings; a good way to get back into shape.

2014 Summer Classes

This summer I am offering two classes at the  Ian Shatilla Studio in the historic Elpro Lofts in Montreal's St.Henri.  It is a large and comfortable studio space with easy parking.  A great place to take classes.

For more information or to register  you can e-mail me at bmf.art@gmail.com or come and pick up a flyer at Avenue des Arts in Westmount.