Watercolours

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

My go to to paper is Arches. The watercolour paints that I use are winsor newton tubes. I always stretch my paper. When I first stretched my paper I would use gummed tape, then I discovered the staple gun. Once you stretch enough paper it is really easy.

Many of my paintings are reflections of the time that I have spent camping in Ontario’s Provincial Parks.

Killarney – Private Collection

Sold – Private Collection

Not only is it about putting the pigment down, but also very much so about pulling up and taking away the paint.

Sold – Private collection

Experimenting with a subtle palette of colours. This painting was an extreme challenge in patience – painting links in the chain.

Jim’s Wall – available $300.00 CDN image size 14 X 9

This painting of our local museum was a commission for the curator who was retiring. Many artists are reluctant to accept commissions, myself included. I think it is the stress that can be involved meeting deadlines, lack of confidence (just speaking about myself), and wondering if it will be good enough. In the end, the work is usually very well received and the income it generates is very important.

Ingersoll Cheese Museum Commissioned Sold Private Collection

Commissi

I am a huge fan of masking fluid.

Lawson’s Woods Sold Private Collection

One of the little tricks I like to use is to add a tiny amount of gum arabic to my watercolour paints. Gum Arabic enhances the saturation of colour and makes it pop.