Miramichi Spring Blooms - (series of 6)

 I started this series to try to improve my use of Gouache…an opaque watercolour. I have used it before in small measure along with my transparent watercolours but this time using it on its own. It dries extremely fast which is both a sticking point and an advantage depending on how it’s used. I loved the ability to layer from thin to thick. I found I much preferred to use the colours straight from the tube onto a stay-wet pallet as I have done for acrylics in the past….much easier to blend thicker paint as they never reconstituted well enough from a dried and then re-wet travel pallet.

Miramichi Spring Blooms series - Gouache on Strathmore (400 series, 184 lb) Toned Gray Mixed Media Paper….vellum surface 

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Bass Fishing on the Miramichi

 An unsettled day on the river but lots of bass fishermen didn’t mind a bit…gathering in Nelson to throw in a line. I love this sight on the river and have always wanted to capture this scene

Painted with Gouache this time…an opaque watercolour painted in layers…thin to thick…something like oils..but dries VERY fast! This is a tiny painting size 5 X 7 in. And it was painted on Canson waterboard.

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The Swamp - monoprint

 The Swamp

Monoprint 1/1

Size 11 X 14 in.

Completed from a recent charcoal sketch (Derwent coloured charcoal pencils and blocks plus some vine charcoal) at a local swampy area behind the Miramichi mall in Newcastle, Miramichi. I transferred the charcoal drawing to my Gelli plate and used Mat Medium for the pull onto Strathmore Tan Toned mixed media paper….finishing off with a bit of soft pastel work over selected areas. I was especially drawn to the foreground trees…such character! ….and the colour of the early spring grasses…..If I waited another week or so the entire scene would have been too green for my liking. I love the colours and textures of spring.

Harkin’s Academy Watercolour

 Harkins Academy 

M. Graham W/C on Arches 100% cotton paper

Size 11 X 14 in. (Will be matted & framed to 16 X 20)

Plein Air/Studio

A couple of weeks ago, Kelly and I decided we’d better capture the old Harkin's Academy in paint….before someone burns it down! It’s a beautiful old stone building that could have been reused is a variety of ways but has been left to the ravages of time. I’ve captured it from the front on a sunny morning that brought out some of its past glory…but like the early spring trees…it is nothing more than bare bones right now….

The drawing was done on location…the watercolour in studio.

Gelli Plate Monotype Workshop

 This past Saturday Kelly Hay-Hambrook and I gave a Gelli Plate Monotype workshop for members of the Miramichi Art Core at Carrefour Beausoleil in Newcastle, Miramichi. It was a great learning experience for all of us…and a great time had by all!

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The Vestry Door - St. Patrick’s Church

 Kelly and I returned to St Patrick’s for another go on Friday. I managed to get my drawing in fountain pen and brown ink completed….and finished in my studio today with watercolours as we were busy on Saturday giving a Gelli Plate workshop to members of the Miramichi Art Core…more on that coming in another post.

Below is a photo of the drawing on Tan Toned Strathmore series 400 paper (184 lb.) and also the finished painting. It was my first time using this heavy paper and the smoothness took the fountain pen work easily and held up very well with the watercolours

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Awaiting Summer - The Max Aitken

 Awaiting Summer - The Max Aitken

Derwent Coloured Charcoal on Strathmore gray toned 400 series paper. Size 8 X 10 in. Painted en Plein air yesterday in Douglastown

Yes…It was another car trip with Kelly…this time to The Douglastown Marina in Miramichi where this lovely old tourist boat was put to bed for the winter…won’t be long now till we can set up outside!