Do Not Fear - The Artist Has Returned

Hello my avid supporters, many of you have been wondering about my recent and unexplained absence. I must say I have a very good excuse, well three in fact. My parents recruited me me for a two week babysitting venture while they vacationed in distant sunny Hawaii. Its seems running a house and providing basic necessities for three children is full time work. However I am most happy to announce that my attentions have been returned to exploring the world of artistic expression.

Happy Holiday's

-Frances

Sunday Sketch - Emily

Emily - 8x11 Pencil on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Not for Sale

This sketch was done of a classmate. I really loved drawing her because she reminds me of an old Roman statue. I'm positive had she lived about two and a half millennia ago that we would find sculptures of her all over the place.

Frances' Tips and Tricks - Basic Portraiture Skills

A friend commented only a few days on how much I progressed in the past few years. Which is rather apparent in my rendering of the same subject from when I first began working seriously to only a short while ago.

Typical Problems

1. The base of the iris rest on the lower lid, instead of being partially covered. The eyes are set wide. Contour lines completely surround eyes, as though he were wearing eyeliner.

2. Mouth is drawn by contour lines, Facial hair does not reach lip. Upper and lower lip have identical shading

3. Hair is indicated by individual lines where tonal mass is suitable, as a result highlights are lost.

4. Nose is shaded incorrectly under nostrils and at the tip cause it to lose its shape and appear flat.

5. Forehead appears to large due to hair being place directly on top of head rather than overlapping part of the head and not having any deep shading or highlights.

6. Lack of shading causes eyes to lose depth. for all shadows tonal values are not pushed.

Solutions

1 Avoid contour lines by changing the skin tone of the lid around the eye as shadows require. The iris is partially covered by the upper and lower lids. The eyes are set correctly (most eyes are set approximately one eye length apart.)

2. Mouth is shaped without contour lines. Facial hair reaches all the way to the lip. The individual shapes of the upper and lower lips can be seen due to differences in shading.

3. Shape of the hair is indicated by masses of dark or light tone with a few visible strands of flyaway hairs.

4. More shading under the nose gives it depth, Because of the very smooth nature of the nose, more detailed shines the presence of reflected lights and deeper shadows are called for to give it a three dimensional appearance.

5. Forehead is correctly sized due to hair mass overlapping the length of the head. Forehead is better rounded due to receiving more attention in shading having both low lights and highlights.

6. Eyes appear set in head rather the placed on top of the face. Deeper shadows indicate sockets and curvature of eyes.

Lastly Practice Practice Practice, the more frequently you draw the easier it will be for your hands to interpret what you see.

Best wishes

-Frances 

March of the Penguins - Watercolour on Paper

March of the Penguins - 7x5 Watercolour on Paper

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

I recently watched March of the Penguins and decided to do a quick watercolor based on the cover of the DVD. They are such persevering creatures, it inspired me to make them a small tribute.



Time Lapse Video - Watercolour Penguins

A time lapse of me painting penguins in watercolor from the first wash to final touches.

Pastel Color Studies

Pastel Color Studies

Hand Drawn Original

Not for Sale

Before doing a detailed landscape in pastel I like to play around with different color schemes a little while before hand so as the work goes on, I don't have to worry that all my time spent in detailing clouds or mountains is wasted on a bad color combinations. The secret to working with simple landscapes or scenery is in making interesting, but cohesive choices in your color palette.

Morning over Mountains - Acrylic on Canvas

Morning over Mountains - 20x16 x 2 & 20x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Commissioned

I have yet to do some final touch ups for this piece but I was too excited to share it to wait any longer. The sunrise is an everyday miracle many of us seem to miss, luckily during the winter in addition to the chilling cold that comes, the sun rises late enough for the average person to really enjoy it. For the past week I have taken great pleasure in looking out to see the sky filled with something other than blue or grey.



Heron to the Throne - Watercolor on Paper

Heron to the Throne - 14x18 Watercolor on Paper

Hand Painted Original

Exclusive

I woke up... and Calgary was white. Therefore I chose to paint the most colourful and bright picture I could find. I rarely paint animals since it is difficult for me to form a connection with them, this may be because the zoo is about as close as I have been to having a pet (excluding my fish). However, I enjoy imagining that I'm a bird with the option to migrate down to warmer places when the weather turns.

Studied by a Stranger - Pastel on Acrylic Wash

Studied by a Stranger - 20x26 Pastel On Acrylic Wash
Hand Drawn Original

Not For Sale

This was another portfolio piece, again very large and rather terrifying to approach. This was really about feeling watched against ones wishes; it is smothering and uncomfortable. (Note: The background is made by an acrylic wash)

Lord Kevinz - Pastel on Paper

Lord Kevinz - 12x10 Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Not for Sale

A while ago when I was browsing about art online, I came across the work of a very talented photographer. What really stood out to me were his own quirky and unique self portraits. I was really delighted to come across someone with such an new and refreshing perspective. Wanting to do the same, using Kenviz as a subject, I pushed my boundaries a little bit further to really find a style I felt suited him.

Reflected Roses - Watercolour on Paper

Reflected Roses - 16x20 Watercolour on Paper

Hand Painted Original

I like challenging myself every time I do a still life piece, there is this ridiculous glass bowl, the kind for serving punch with laidies who lunch, which I thought reflected light and had a fractal art style about it. While it was difficult, there is a different kind of respect you have for details in simple things. The small touches that make the ordinary, which we see every day, become extraordinary.

Sunday Sketch - Camp Impeesa Hike

Camp Impeesa Hike - 7x4 Pen on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Not for Sale

This sketch is from the summer of 09 drawn while hiking along with other campers. It may seem odd but I believed that strolling along in the hot sun and drawing a continual composite picture at the same time would be fun. The thing about this sketch that makes it so special is not only that fact that I was driven to make something excellent while drawing and walking at the same time, but that over a year later I'm able to appreciate that day in a very unique way every time I look at this small simple sketch.

Frances' Tips and Tricks - Still Lifes in Pencil

Recently many people have told me that they would love to learn to draw. Saturday is a great opportunity for those with little time to get in touch with their artistic side. This Saturday why not try your own still life drawing. Bonus: A homemade framed still life makes a great gift. Plus they look good just about anywhere you put them.

This is the apple exercise

You will need - Pencil, paper, and an apple. (possibly a sharpener and eraser)

Tips

1. Find a place where you can be comfortable and with good lighting. If your new to drawing, try find somewhere you on have one or two light sources, it will be easier to see where your shadows are. Set up your still life so you can see two sides of your object (in this case the top and one side)



2. To get warmed up try drawing your apple using the three methods shown above.

-First (apple on the left) using only contour lines out line the shape of your apple, the flecks you see on your apple, significant shadows, and colour blotches.

-Second  (apple on the right) without using any lines whatsoever try to draw your apple, this means you must shade in blocks of light and shadow using the side of your pencil lead. Find the darkest spots on your apple first, try to make them as dark as possible, then gently shade around your lightest spots keeping them white. If you do this first it gives you a much wider range of Mid tones in between to use.

- Third (apple in the middle) combine the two. Draw very very light contour lines to outline the shape of your apple, where your shadows go, and changes in colour, then keeping the same tone values in your shading exercises fill them in and blend.

So you already have these super cool looking apples from practice and now that you have the skills we can get to the fun part; which is getting to decide how you want your apples too look.

I like the look of the contour lines and slightly rougher shading so this is how my still life turned out. Now go and have fun my aspiring artists. - Frances

How bout them apples...

Fall in Technicolour - Acrylic on Canvas

Fall in Technicolour - 20x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD


I really enjoy the fall, its inspiring just go for a walk, the forest is lit up with every colour possible and the water seems glassier.

A Kiss - Pastel on Paper

A Kiss - 18x24 Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Exclusive

This was done a while ago. At the time I was thinking about "lovers vision" how everything seem blissful when you are in the moment. Even if its only ten minutes later and your asking yourself "why wasn't my head on straight?" We still get confused once behind the rose tinted glasses.. every time...

Time Lapse - Acrylic Abstract

Time Lapse - Acrylic Abstract Nov 18 2010

A short video of me working on the first layers of an acrylic abstract

Water on the Rocks - Watercolour on Paper

Water on the Rocks - 8x11 Watercolour on Paper

Hand Painted Original

Watercolours have always appealed to me in how the can play up the light and color, in objects that seem dull and lifeless at first glance. On a cloudy day I doubt anyone would look particularly hard at these rocks and imagine the potential range of vibrant color they could have with the right bit of imagination.

Beginning of Time - Acrylic on Canvas

Beginning of Time - 36x48 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Exclusive

Lately, I've been really wondering about the way the earth it looked back when it all began. Despite whether you are religious or not, the creation of the world however it came about, had to have been awe inspiring.

Shades of Blue - Acrylic on Canvas



Shades of Blue - 24x30 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Price 480.00 CAD

SOLD

This painting came from the great bubbly and glassy big blue. Its been so long since I've been able to see the ocean, or even a lake. I feel like the rise and fall of the ocean is just always so inspiring.

Study of Hands - Pastel on Paper

Study of Hands - 11x14 Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Price: 120.00 CAD 

Available

Plums - Watercolor on Paper

Plums - 9x10 Watercolor on Paper

Hand Painted Original
SOLD

I was tired of still life's without well "life." I wanted to give each subject its own personality by really playing up the colors that I felt suited them best.

Lighthouse - Pastel on Paper

Lighthouse - 22x15 Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Price: 410.00 CAD

Post Showing Price: 205.00 CAD

Available

Homemade and Handpicked - Oil Pastel on Paper

Homemade and Handpicked - 12x14 Oil Pastel on Paper

Handrawn Original

Exclusive

This still life represent the comfort I always feel in a kitchen during the summer. Sunlight pouring in through the windows, and fresh fruit on the table.

Sierra - Pastel on Paper

Sierra - 8x11 Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn Original

Not for Sale

My younger sister Sierra, yelping at the camera as usual.

Calmer Horizons’ - Acrylic on Canvas

Calmer Horizons’ - 24x36 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Not for Sale

This was done specifically for my father. He has always loved sailing, so when he asked if I would paint something for him, I was more than glad too. I have always been a fan of the era of pirates and great battle ships, the assurance of discovery and adventure. To me this is the morning before one would set sail, sky's full of promise.

Pirates of the Caribbean - Chalk Pastel on Paper

Will Turner-  14x20 Chalk Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn 
SOLD

Will Turner-  16x22 Chalk Pastel on Paper

Hand Drawn 
Price: 200.00
Available

Just a pet project of mine, I personally loved the movies and enjoyed challenging myself to render each character in a different manner. 

Macro Face - Chalk Pastel on Ink Wash

Macro Face - 26x54 Chalk Pastel on Ink Wash

Hand Drawn Original

SOLD

As part of a portfolio I went into exploring the idea of creating art that confronts its viewer. I wanted to have explicit control over the feelings which would be evoked. The shear size of the piece made it very intimidating. This is a self portrait as well, facing myself like this was a very *ahem* eye opening experience (excuse the pun).  I felt very tired of the idea that the viewer is passive and uninvolved in most art they see, this was my own way of rebellion toward art pacifists.

The Bronze Age - Acrylic on Canvas

The Bronze Age -  16x20 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

(same painting is shown twice due to metallic shine) 

The feelings behind this painting were rather bleak and dark, much how I image those as the turn of the last millennium felt. Not hopeless but hardened and battle worn.

Blue Music - Acrylic on Canvas

Blue Music - 18x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

This painting was inspired by the slow melodic jazz pieces that we listen to when feeling particularly melancholy.

Diversity I - Acrylic on Canvas

Diversity I - 18x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

The idea behind this painting was how often we try to compartmentalize and separate ourselves and other people around us, but no matter how hard we try to do so, we just bleed into each other anyways, and the fact is when we allow all colours, ideas and forms to mix, the result can be beautiful.

Diversity II - Acrylic on Canvas

Diversity II - 24x48 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

This painting was about creating harmony between the fluid transition of colour and the balance and composition found in the placement of the lines. It is a continuation of the ideas developed in Diversity I.

Going Dotty - Acrylic on Canvas

Going Dotty - 24x36 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Exclusive

This was a particularily fun project. The idea behind it was a bunch of little asteriods floating through space. That is, if nebulas were bright and multicolored.

Birth of Colour I and II - Acrylic on Canvas

Birth of Colour I and II - 24x36 12x36 Acrylic on Canvas
Hand Painted Original

SOLD

I had the strangest feeling the other day as I was washing my pallets. The water coming out of the tap was clear while just after it hit the pallet it was suddenly changed into a vibrant colourful rainbow. It made me excited to think about how we all start out crystal clear water, and its after smashing into out various experiences that we can become bright bold colours. Each persons colour is determined the experiences they allow to effect them.  

Tree of Infinity II - Acrylic on Canvas

Tree of Infinity II - 3 x 12x20 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

This is a continuation of the idea explored in the tree of infinity, however this was focused not on myself, but on a friend of mine, as her life is coming to a close, I think of how while I just want to grow up in order to find fulfillment in myself, she has always always been growing out, trying to touch as many other people as she could with her kindness and gentle spirit.

Tree of Infinity - Acrylic on Canvas

Tree of Infinity - 3 x 18x24 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

Painting this was really an exploration of me and my place in the world. I was really questioning what I was going to do in this world which is so large and beautiful. What effect could I possibly have on the universe which is great and vast, when I am so finite and small? All it took was to remember that all things start off finite and small. I felt I should remember no matter how long I might have on the earth I have to keep growing all my life, stretching my branches infinitely as far as they can reach in all directions. and while I might never be as great as the universe, its still possible to become my own unique beautiful little part of it.

Geometry III - Acrylic on Canvas

Geometry III- 24x48 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

SOLD

This was a continuation of working to combine the organic and textured feel of nature with the minimalistic and mathematical  feel of our modern society.

Geometry I and Geometry II - Acrylic on Canvas

Geometry I  and Geometry II - 2 x 20x16 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Post Showing Price: 170.00 CAD

Available

Recently I was reading a number of books on how the artistic and scientific worlds collide and this inspired me to explore my passion for both.  For these two paintings I really wanted to express how I feel in finding liner or geometric shapes in nature. How all things that are and feel natural also have the physics and the science of the world behind them. That the stark and simplistic can still feel organic.

Satellite Emotion - Acrylic on Canvas

Satellite Emotion - 24x36 Acrylic on Canvas

Hand Painted Original

Exclusive

When I sat down to paint this piece I was in a state of real confusion and frustration. All I could think about was how nice it would be to remove myself from where I was standing and be flying over the earth just looking down. However the only flight I have ever been on was when I was five years old, and unfortunately even If I was lucky enough to procure a window seat, I can't remember what I saw. So I began to think of the satellite images you seeing on the weather channel, the colorful red ones swirling around right before a storm is about to hit the land mass.