Almost There!

I'm also caught up my lessons, only one to go,...yeah for me! I get another lesson on Monday, so I hope to be ready.

Theses two lessons involved portraits, which I am not too comfortable with, but with all the practice and fantastic teaching I am very excited about the future! I did try the gouache paint....it's not my favourite, plus, I did not have pearlized paints...,my mermaid turned into an "angel". I also had trouble keeping the gouache on the surface. Every time I try to add another layer, the bottom layer would lift. As a result she is a too dark. I had never worked with this medium before so I need a practice. Please note that this painting was drawn with magic marker at the beginning...how scary was that?

 

This next piece used watercolour crayons with white acrylics all done with a collage under painting. Also the face was drawn with charcoal! Another scary medium....but I love the outcome. We were to think about "honouring" and "grounding". I had to honour "mother" and "nature "!

Until next time...happy creating 

Nadine 

Catching Up

I have looked forward to starting some of the Life Book lessons that I couldn't do while away. Over the last three days, yup it has taken three days to complete two of the lessons. "Flowers of Gratitude" guided by Tamara Laporte and "Roots Down, Branches Up" guided by Effy Wild. Both lessons were so inspiring, plus I learned a lot of techniques.

Here is my take...

Flowers of Gratitude

You Are Strong

 

Until next time...happy creating 

Nadine 

Good Intentions

I had planned on getting caught up with art pieces that I didn't complete or do while away in Portugal, however I was called into work. I had to accept because I have no March hours. So tomorrow, after a workout at the Y I plan to create.....

Until next time.. happy creating 

Nadine 

Farewell To My Little Darlings

I know that the journey of life contains many changes not only in my life but in the life of  "everyone". Today I said goodbye to my three little grandchildren as they are moving to Ottawa, Ontario. I spent an amazing time with each of them these past few days, while parents packed up the house. When we returned from Trout Lake Community Centre this morning, all the toys were in bins and boxes! They don't leave until Saturday, however over the next few days they will be visiting friends to say their goodbyes.

 I will see them in Ottawa a few days before we all go to a cottage at Sandbanks for three weeks, it should be so much fun. But now I have six weeks of art assignments to do and I'm really looking forward to getting into my creative self.

Until next time... happy creating 

Nadine

I Tried!

I was already to post on Friday morning before leaving the hotel knowing I wouldn't have a chance later as the flying time was so long, and the post could not be published!

So to all, I wish you a wonderful St. Patricia's Day and hopefully the "green" of Spring will appear soon. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful family and good friends!

Until next time...happy creating 

Nadine 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Wishing the luck of the Irish to all! Hopefully the green of spring is just around the corner!

I am not going to post anything remotely artsy because it's another traveling day for us. Our flight from Lisbon leaves about 11 am and then it's 15 hours of sitting around till we arrive in Vancouver around 10:30 pm. Los of time changes to. 

No matter were we live, it's always wonderful to be "coming home"!

Until next time...happy creating 

Nadine 

My Lovelies

I've just had so much fun sketching and painting my "lovelies" and I can really see improvements. Some are painted with watercolours only, some are with watercolour crayons...which I absolutely love! All are done with minimal supplies on really cheap watercolour paper, 6x9"!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just figured out how to make the images smaller using the IPad! Yeah!

Until next time....happy creating 

Nadine

The Cliffs of the Algarve

Sorry I am a bit behind with this post. Yesterday was a 4 hour trek and then another couple of hours completing my sketch. Beautiful views.

Lots of news as well, found out that my daughter has purchased a house in Ottawa, I can't believe it! However, it looks perfect for their family.

Here is my sketch of a very small section of the eroding cliffs.

 

Until next time... happy creating 

Nadine 

Wandering Women

I took an excursion to visit small villages in the Algarve. If I had of known that the day would be spent mainly on the bus and 6 hours of picking up and dropping off passengers, I would never have signed up! I looked at all the positives and found that whenever you get a chance to travel one not only sees and experiences gorgeous views but also meets amazing people along the way. I am so glad that I had a wonderful experience and apparently inspired others to sketch their own experiences!

Officially, I am a "Wondering Women"!

 

Until next time...happy creating 

Nadine 

Learning to Draw Faces

While I know that I am still in Portugal and enjoying lots of sketching opportunities I just had to share some of my small more realistic faces. Although they are still far from reality I am really enjoying the process and getting better at using the watercolour crayons which I absolutely love, love! I'm sorry I didn't take better photos but I wanted my friend to have them before leaving Portimao. No time for retakes!

 

 

Until next time.. happy creating 

Nadine