Urban Painting "Waiting on Red"

"Waiting on Red"

9 x 12 Oil on Linen Panel (Sold)

I have lots of fun taking photos as reference for my paintings.  This fellows expression was priceless!

Urban Painting by Donna MacDonald

"Raining Cats and Dogs"
18 x 24 Oil
Sold

I just realized that I hadn't posted this Urban painting yet, so I thought I'd share the progression of the work.

In the first step I worked out the composition with a tone.

It will be shown at the upcoming Federation of Canadian Artists show in Calgary, at the Edgemont Community Centre, March 10, 2012

Mother and Child Painting

A Book Shared
$495 Oil on Linen

A good friend of mine has been kind enough over the years to lend me photographs of her grandchildren to use as reference. I am so grateful to her for this. This painting was inspired by one of these photos.

Figurative Painting by Donna MacDonald

Cantina
9x 12 Oil Sold

We were in the Bahamas a few years ago and snapped the photo reference for this painting. I had recently read, can't remember where, that there are 3 phases when painting, Analytical, Creative, then Analytical again. This was definitely an AHA moment for me.

During the first phase I spend a long time doing thumbnail sketches, trying to come up with good design and colour scheme; sometimes doing a colour sketch as well. Then once my brush hits the canvas my creative side comes into play. My best work is done when I no longer look at the reference but instead analyze what it is that the painting "needs". (the 3rd phase) The reference then becomes just a jumping off point.

Urban Painting

"Heading Home"
Oil
8 x 16

I'm having fun with these urban scenes. I thought I'd do a small version before I tackle the 20x40 size. That way I could play with the color and composition on a much smaller scale.