An advice I received from the Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebook is next: an artist always needs to find something new to paint or draw. So I am always trying to learn something new, outside of convenient “box”. This summer I realized that watercooler graphic technique is not about coloring sheets:) It was a little discovery for myself. So I decided to explore more..
My still life subjects are bright reddish peonies, I put them on the my treasured book Leonardo da Vinci, added my glasses and a cup of cappuccino and ….voilà:) my new watercolor and ink painting in my favourite impressionist style
Just imagine …warm evening, you walk somewhere near the Mediterranean sea’s streets and see flowers, red and pink peonies are in a straw basket on a wood door or window, watercolor and ink painting, impressionism. It’s my dream about our future travelling to the south of France or Italy or maybe …Greece. Who knows?:)
Thank you to my daughter for this great gift book Leonardo’s Notebook, it is providing so many tips to all artists from the Master who lived 5 centuries ago!
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favorite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Watercolor journey with the course Roman Architecture by the Yale University
I continue the stay-at-home travel Art + Roman Architecture + the city of Rome with Yale’s course Roman Architecture https://www.coursera.org/learn/roman-architecture. Roman Architecture. Introduction The urban Grid and Public Architecture.1-2
Pantheon is one of the greatest masterpieces of Roman Architecture with a very innovative structure. The building represents the power and glory of Rome itself and the Roman Architecture for the world. This is the greatest building ever conceived by man, a genius of the human mind and ability.
My painting for this session is about the Pantheon, with its extraordinary interior space that is shaped by light. Apparently it was the revolutionary transformation of the use of Roman cement and stone. The Pantheon is representative of Rome as a whole in its grandeur, scale and elegance, would you agree?
The eye of the Pantheon through the centuries has become a model for many buildings. Ancient architects were pouring the roman cement into a wooden model. Essentially they broke the inflexibility of belief from the Greek and Etruscan architects that any architectural buildings should be only straightforward and rectilinear, including roofs
All roads lead to Rome- Alain de Lille
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favorite art store in Toronto is Deserres at Spadina Ave.
Painting –Rome, Pantheon, Roman Architecture. Year of construction-126 AD. Address:Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Tools used for my painting Watercolour PWC jaune paint+ (combination PWC indigo paint +Van Gogh ultramarine paint), Derwent, Albert Durer and Faber Castell watercolour pencils. Paper Acquarello watercolour album. Fabriano grana grossa rouch Watercolour album, 22×30 cm (9 ×12 in.)
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Watercolor journey with the course Roman Architecture by the Yale University
Let’s start my stay-in-home travel Art + Roman Architecture + the city of Rome with Yale’s course Roman Architecture https://www.coursera.org/learn/roman-architecture. Roman Architecture. Introduction. Roman Urbanism.1-1
The Servian Walls is ancient Roman defensive barrier built around the famous Seven Hills of the republican city after the Sack of Rome in 4century B.C. In the early period of Roman architecture, the stone blocks were just piled one on top of the other for the wall. We can still see the very wide section of the Servian Walls near Rome’s train station Stazione Termini station. The city grew over time and in the late third century AD (under the emperor Aurelian), the impressive and famous set of the Aurelian Walls was built. A new technology is concrete revolutionized Roman architecture and concrete faced with brick. We can still see some parts of the two ancient walls in Rome.
My first painting is about the Servian Wall, the first ancient Roman wall, recognizing this major monument of the ancient Roman architecture.
I must admit that several times I passed a part of the fortress wall near the station in Rome and the Esquiline Gate of the Servian Wall, and I did not recognize this significant part of Roman architecture in history and just admired the architectural monuments. On my next trip I will definitely return to the remains of the fortress wall and the gates of the Eternal City. “All roads lead to Rome” Alain de Lille
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favorite art store in Toronto is Deserres at Spadina Ave
Painting –Rome, Servian Walls, Roman Architecture. Year of construction- 3 century B.C. Address: Piazzale dei Cinquecento, Rome
Tools used for my painting Watercolour Winsor Newton Gamboge paint, Alison, indigo brands, Derwent, Albert Durer and Faber Castell watercolour pencils. Paper Fluid 100, cold press Watercolour albums, 22×30 cm (9 ×12 in.)
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In my new journey watercolor stay-in-home travel with a new course Roman Architecture at online Open Yale course. There so many interesting facts I am learning from the Professor of History of Art and Classics Diana E.E. Kleiner Dunham. https://www.coursera.org/learn/roman-architecture
Painting journey of my 3 passions – Roman Architecture and Art with references and learning from Yale University Roman Architecture, Professor Kleiner about art, architecture
The course Roman Architecture is my favourite one because I love to travel and would like to discover the power of architecture to shape culture and society with my additional research from the lectures. The nine- week course explores the great cities and their buildings, engineering marvels of Rome and its empire in their ancient and contemporary contexts. Rome, cities of Pompeii, Sicily, France, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and the rest of Roman Empire. Experience the full brush of Rome’s beginning as an Iron Age village and how it became a world-class city and a gigantic empire surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.
The Romans had a vast impact on architecture worldwide. The Roman Architecture course will help me to design my own Roman City Art Project. I am going to learn some architecture skills and enhance my life.
Every temple has its story and legend, I love all lectures with interesting facts of the professor Diana E.E. Kleiner. One of the good things about learning is the professor’s enthusiasm and her own photos. In addition, I will use my husband’s photos and my own sketches from our vacation in Italy.
The course starts from 8 B.C. architecture and moves from one revolutionary experiment to the next one; and my paintings will follow the consecutive process of the development of Roman architecture that was born out of ancient Greek and Etruscan styles I hope that soon I will travel to Rome with all my new knowledge from the Roman Architecture course 🙂
I will pick a photo reference from a lecture for each painting. I am going to share my quick comparison for four picks of art watercolor albums and paints.
Acquarello watercolour album. Fabriano cold pressed
Acquarello watercolour album. Fabriano, grana grossa rouch
Fluid 100, cold press
Van Gogh, National gallery
Watercolour paints:
Van Gogh travel box
Van Gogh tubes
PWC
Cotman
Winsor Newton
Charvin
Box Munovo
Gelly roll Sakura white pen
Watercolour pencils Albert Durer
Watercolour pencils Faber Castell Durer
Watercolour pencils Derwent
my next post about Yale’s Roman Architecture course
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
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Like many of you, I am staying at home this year and trying to use this time to learn something new, I started 2 new courses through Coursera. Both are about Rome:) Roman Architecture by Yales university and the course Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill provided by Roman university Sapienza. This is why even staying at home in Canada, all my paintings and drawings this winter are about Rome, the Eternal city.
The Palatine Hill, which is the central of the Seven Hills of Rome, is one of the most ancient parts of the city.
Cobblestone roads from the Roman Empire to the present day. An ancient legend about a diamond mountain, to the top of which a raven flies once in a thousand years to sharpen its beak, says that only a second of eternity will pass by the time it exudes the entire mountain.
Next to the Palantine Hill is the Colloseum, I painted it in ink, sepia and coloured Christmas ball with a Christmas tree branch.
Centuries have passed since the first cobblestone roads were built – a short time for eternity, but in comparison with human life, it is huge. What allowed the ancient roads, albeit not in their original form, to survive to this day? Magic:)
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto Deserres, Spadina Ave
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Pastel GrayPas Expressionist, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
There are abandoned buildings with modern city’s buildings as background. Paintings were done as mixed of watercolour pencils, watercolour paints and acrylic, above added oil to add some texture for bricks.
I added cum clouds for peaceful sky and keep the interest in the scene to substitute buildings’ pipes that do not smoke anymore.
Recreated the historical district, currently touristy place with preserved spirit.
Canada Malting Site .It is one of two remaining silos in Toronto’s Harbourfront in Ontario, Canada. It is almost 100 years.
The museum and house Sir William Campbell is a vibrant public space where members of Toronto’ communities giving life to the words “freedom of expression.” Painting was done as combination of fountain pen with watercolour paints.
Toronto CN Tower, its reflection on the downtown’s builfing , the landmark of the city for the last 45 years , it is old enough at least for our young country and city:). CN is originally referred to Canadian National, the railway company that built the tower.At more than half of a km (555 m) the CN Tower held the record as the tallest building, tower, freestanding structure for over three decades.
I decided to be original and painted this famous building CN Tower not directly, but as reflection of the standing high risers nearby to the tallest landmark in Canada:) I added deep blue with nice raspberry colours for some romantic feeling. The early dawn’s colour painting was done in the morning, before work hours.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is Deserres @Spadina avenue.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Daily sketches in downtown Toronto with some funny sculptures. In this post I am adding 3 interesting sculptures and architecture that are located at one park, very convenient for the artists, locals and tourists:)
Dog Fountain at Berczy park. 2020 new reality. I saw some disposable masks on the sculptures of dogs. It is still one of the favorite meet point for friends in the city:) I added coolers of sour cream, tobacco and cappuccino to add warmth of the last days of the Indian summer.
Toronto downtown beautiful Flatiron building by architector Derek Besant. It has a narrow angle from one side, but I like its facade on Berczy park, overlooking the square, like the wrapped edges of autumn leaves. I using colors salmon + rose + vanilla
And another weird and fanciful sculpture of hands out of the ground. Maybe they are life-giving hands of the Earth?:) In my painting I used matte and very deep black with indigo, grass is an autumn shade of flax. The background is the peach-colored building Flatiron building at Berczy park.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is Deserres @Spadina avenue.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
My “travelling and art” journey in my city of Toronto, and the next chapter is some… weird sculptures:) The idea is to enjoy a city and study its history and architecture while walking around the city and making sketches.
“Between the eyes” Toronto street sculpture, Ontario. We know how the smile of the Cheshire Cat looks like from the book Alice’s Adventures popularized by Lewis Carroll. My guess that the sculpture shows how the Cheshire Cat’s eyes look like:) I added some silver powder to my painting with sea-colored and raspberry paints for the buildings on Yonge street.
Another weird and funny statue is “Rising” in downtown of Toronto, at University avenue. I would say that it is a combination of an animal …maybe an elk or.. a deer or… an elephant in combination with the branches of forest’ trees. The “Rising” like the Atlant carries on himself the whole colossus of a high rise building. I added spicy brown color to the wall that gives some warmth to the cold silver’s colour of the statue.
The next interesting composition called “Fair grounds”, consists of four pairs of stainless chairs in the middle of a street Wellington W. at John st. One pair of the chairs is “looking” in the same direction, representing a “familiar/family” relationship. The 2nd pair is “arguing” as they are set back to back, just like when two people don’t want to look at or talk to each other. The 3rd pair is “friends”: they are set facing each other, just like friends who sit down to have a chat. And the last pair is set near each other but they are looking in different directions – just like “strangers” would.
Some of these chairs are elegant, some are simple, and each has a unique style, just like people… Next time you walk by these, have a seat at this unique composition. It’d be interesting to see which pair of chairs you would chose: “Family”, “Arguing”, “Friends” or “Strangers”?:)
And adding the bright sketch of Red canoe. Why I am adding this drawing to the post with the weird statues? Because this red boat is standing on top of my neighborhood’s hill!:) Nice warm weather is helping for outdoor art. Enjoying the sun and fresh air and local sketching exersises!:)
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Ontario Place is an artificially created island park in downtown with recreation area, on the territory of which there are venues for various festivals, an IMAX cinema, a Budweiser concert stage, well this year they are quite empty..
It has a small marina with snow-white yachts, and many pleasant paths for walking and cycling.
Lovely sunset in Ontario Place and its lonely standing windshare. It reminds me about its famous windmills near Amsterdam, or Cervantes Don Quichotte mills in Spain or a flour mill of my grandgrandparents as per our family’s legends in Belarus. Yes, I am missing so much our annual vacation in Europe, hope that this “stayhome” will be over soon…
Toronto’s fall is very soft and warm, so you can enjoy all this beauty, leisurely walking through numerous the local parks and the picturesque waterfront of Lake Ontario.
Beautiful maples, painted in bright red and gold, are planted along the Ontario lake’s parks.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is Deserres @Spadina avenue.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
I am starting a new journey. This time it will be “travelling” in my own city. I am planning to do daily sketches of city of Toronto, showing my preferred places, sometimes bright spots on its streets, sometimes… weird sculptures:)))) , the multicultural megapolis that is in harmony with its people.
Woodpecker Column – Toronto, Ontario at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Metro Convention Centre’s woodpecker. This bird symbolizes construction, hardworking people of Ontario. It is prophetic bird, symbol of magical power, guardian of kings and trees. Even in mythology, the woodpecker is dedicated to Zeus (Jupiter), Ares (Mars), Sylvanu. In the eternal city of Rome, the woodpecker is said to have guarded Romulus and Remus, according legends.
Monument of culturalism. The statue of a man who uses all his strength to tighten the meridians of globe in this multinational city. On the “meridians” one can notice some birds perched up.
This is a place where residents or visitors of Toronto arrive or leave by subway, tram, bus, train, or airport. It is the heart of Toronto with its historical Union station. The statistics say that it has an average of 200,000 passengers passing through it each day. However, during the lockdown, that number was only 10% of its usual stat. In my hope for the best (and healthy) future, I captured the moment when the sky har the mixture of chocolate and rose hues. To complement it, I added some shades of coffee and vanilla to the sculpture.
Bike share Toronto. Who doesn’t know these famous bicycles in the streets of Toronto the colour of green apple? There are stations all over the city, including near the Harbour Centre, CN Tower and Rogers centre. You can rent a bicycle and spend a great time cycling for example near Ontario lake.
Bon voyage! Until the next travel:) Stay healthy.
All paintings belong to the author. No image is to be copied without permission.
You can visit my personal website pages here and find out more about the artwork I am offering in oil and watercolor paintings; purchase canvas prints, framed prints, and more artwork.
My favourite art store in Toronto is Deserres @Spadina avenue.
Tools used for my painting Watercolour used Charvin and Van Gogh brands, Derwent watercolour pencils and Faber Castell artist pens. Paper Strathmore Watercolour and Mixed Media albums, 15×20 cm (6×8 in.)
Art and travel club 