Hi Break-a-Brushers!
It’s already Fall and a change of season is in the air. Here in Canada we note the seasons more acutely than in many parts of the world – at very least the two main seasons: Summer and Winter (Spring and Fall being merely flashes in the pan). For many painters it’s the Plein-air and Studio seasons that resonate yearly. The Plein-air Season is now waning and although there are sure to be some fine days in October, many of us are now spending more time in the studio. Ready or not, change is upon us once again and change is a great catalyst for creativity!
Announcing a Fall Exhibition: One Summer along our local Trans Canada Trail: Plein-air Painting in Ottawa-Gatineau
I’ve now completed my series of summer paintings and am looking forward to showing them next week at the Ottawa School of Art!
I found the Trans Canada Trail informing my footsteps to a next location. There it was, right at my doorstep, heading east, west and north, weaving us all together – my theme for summer painting.
Join David in celebrating Summer 2022 in 60 plein-air oil sketches.
When: 5th to 19th October
Where: Ground floor display vitrines, Ottawa School of Art, 35 George St.
Artist’s Talk: 5PM Thursday, 13th October
Ernie Labelle’s Covid Series of Paintings
Over the last few years, we’ve been delighted to be included on regular emails from Ernie Labelle, a good friend and artist. He’s been working on a series of paintings, each a special gift for family and friends – sharing the images with colleagues as well. There’s even one of David painting.
As Ernie explains: “I set up an unplanned studio in front of our Patio door… just an easel and a small table with basic materials. The light is perfect. Then I dreamed up an ambitious commission consisting of 20 paintings … yup, Xmas gifts, mainly… perhaps a legacy. There’s a private homes portion and the remainder of the series will consist of a variety of subjects and even a few in experimental styles. Why not? It will be a change and certainly a challenge”.
Ernie is now up to 15 and going strong. A series both personal and shared…Congratulations Ernie!
In France, an answer to Banksy: the anonymous street artist filling potholes with colourful mosaics
I had to smile reading about this ultimate street artist:
Maybe we can persuade the artist to come to Canada … for the Spring pothole season!
(Even) More on Yellow: heading to the dark side.
Yellow is the lightest of all colours, so, darkening it for shady areas can be tricky. Because yellow is so naturally light, dark yellow is almost an oxymoron: whatever mix you end up with, there is not really much “yellow-ness” left. Bright yellow next to muddy yellow-greys does not look that good. The key is not to think about shadowy areas as yellow at all and instead turn to a naturally darker colour: tonal greens, browns, blues and purples can all work. The key is consistency and placing a touch of light (yellow) on the surface, as reference if you like, telling the viewer “this element is yellow”.
Starting this Month:
Weekend Workshop at the Ottawa School of Art, Shenkman Centre, Orléans:
Impressionism and New Horizons
Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am – 4:30pm, 15/10/2022 – 16/10/2022 (2 days)
Register with the Ottawa School of Art: https://artottawa.ca/
5 week courses via Zoom:
Driven To Abstraction
Wednesdays, 09h30 – 11h30, 26/10/2022 – 23/11/2022 (5 Sessions)
Drawing and Painting the Clothed Figure
Wednesdays, 13h00 – 15h00, 26/10/2022 – 23/11/2022 (5 Sessions)
Details and registration information are on our website at: https://www.breakabrush.com/workshops/
Break-a-Brush!
David & France