Resting Bitch face

Had a little fun last night with some almost done left over paint and an old abused brush.  The light was bad and it looks like my mood was bad (wasn't though), and it turned out okay for about an hours work.  My take away from this was do more portraits from life with minimal drawing.  If the eyes and mouth are located the rest can just happen.  It's all about the values and edges.  There is room for improvement of course, but the exercise was a quick impression with limited resourses.

oil on canvas paper

11" x 8"

Kodi

This beautiful Burmese is sorely missed and hopefully the painting brings the owners some pleasure. It was so much fun to paint in that the deck boards add so much to the composition.  I love a dramatic vanishing affect and the tilt also feels a little more dramatic.  Beautiful colours and a beautiful dog make it so warm and inviting.

oil on board

12" x 9"

 

New Shades

Taken in Puerto Vallarta in 2023, this photo reference was always in the back of mind to paint. Love the woman staring straight ahead in her new sunglasses. I bought the same pair on the beach...ha! This was just delivered to Warehouse Artworks where they just sold my first two paintings on Saturday.  Thank you Rod and my two new collectors.

oil on board

12" x 12"

Last Melt

 

Spring is finally here and it was so much fun to get out to Bunn's Creek about three weeks ago and snap some reference photos.  I just completed this one and look forward to creating many more from the area in the coming weeks and months.  I'm also planning a plein aire workshop which I may hold here as there are so many beautiful scenes to paint. It is my favorite time of the year especially when the first leaves start appearing with the promise of warm sunny days.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Latest Workshop

In this latest workshop I gave a drawing and painting demo prior to letting them have at it themselves.

I like to emphasize the importance of good drawing in any successful painting and give them another way to approach it by holding the pencil a little differently than usual, and using the whole arm when making strokes. Then we shift to a painting demonstation showing a couple of ways to start, proceeding through to an almost finished work.  It was a lot of fun, and I believe they all left feeling a little more inspired.  Great bunch of people.  I was sorry that it was only one day, but that seems to be the more popular way to go.  Way more sign ups for one versus four days.

 

Wiki Wabbit

I was looking for a rabbit image to create something Easter themed and came across this Wikipedia photo... hence the title of this painting.  Cute little guy that resides somewhere in Europe.

oil on canvas panel

8" x 8"

Exchange Of Views

This painting ready for framing is from a photo snapped last year in Puerto Vallarta.  Love the interaction between the three people, and the play of light which gives the scene a lovely natural feel.  I must admit it always seems a little creepy to take these shots even from quite a distance, but I endeavor to leave them somewhat faceless although I know they would imediately recognize themselves should they see the end product.  Probably result in a free painting for them if brought to task...ha!

Oil on canvas

20" x 20"

Carol"s Cherries

This is a quick demo painting which I thoroughly enjoyed doing in my latest workshop based on a beautiful original by Carol Marine. (She generously gave me permission to show and sell this as it does not directly copy her work). It was later completed in my studio.  I was trying to convey a different style of drawing and brush work to my latest crop of students. Using quick straight strokes can simply convey a loose but accurate depiction of a subject without the fiddling and over detailing that seems to be a focus for a lot of beginners.

oil on board

8" x 10"

No Turns Ahead

This just finished painting is the subject of my first email to subscribers to vernschwarz.com.  Please visit and sign up to view my newest pieces along with any news tidbits like shows, workshops, thoughts etc.

I photographed this group last year in PV, and loved the different interactions.  Dad and new mom getting a little peace and two young ladies maybe talking about whatever exciting things are happening in their lives.  In the end the beach is always perfect and relaxing, even for babies.

oil on canvas

18" x  24"

Ready For Takeoff

 

This little beauty is what keeps us green and fed.  Don't see as many as when I was a kid, but it sure is a treat to see them at work in the garden.  I remember trapping them in hollyhocks when I was around 10 and getting stung the very odd time, but it was fun even though dangerous...ha!  We didn't realize that they died after deploying their stingers.  Who's kidding who, at 10 we probably would have still done it.  

oil on canvas board

8" x 8"

It"s A Beautiful Day

This is a scene which we've all seen if we are Lake of the woods or like area visitors.  I know I have fished in similar areas over the years, and always marvel at pristine nature and the sheer beauty and peacefullness.  Doesn't get any better up here in the northern hemi.  This is a larger work which really conveys the feeling of this location.

oil on canvas

48" x 24"

Egg Study

This little egg study was a demo for the mini workshop I held for two budding oil painters. 

oil on canvas board

5' x 7" 

Bumble Bee

Nice little bumble bee study.

oil on canvas board

5" x 7"

Sea Gull

This little painting is part of a collection that I am preparing for my first art fair.  There will be seventy artists exhibiting at the beginnig of April 2025 and I am very excited to be included.

8' x 8"  

oil on canvas board

Strawberry Delight

This was the third demo from my last workshop.  Great subject and challenging to get that ice cream cone breathing.  Three of the participants tried it and ended up doing credible jobs which I was pleased to see.  I'm trying to instill the importance of drawing, values and edges in all the assignments I give, but it takes time and practice.  The harder you work the more talented you become.

8" x 8"

oil on canvs board 

Dairy Model

This lovely looking girl really knows how to strike a pose,  and was painted alla prima.  Using plenty of paint and mixing my clours and values prior to starting makes for a smoother and fresher result.  In preparing for my last workshop I brushed up on a few things that had been missing in my work and as a result took it up a notch.  We never stop learning, and part of that means remembering past lessons...ha!

oil on board

5 1/2" x 8"

$135.00 framed

Pumpkin Time

Tis the scary time of the year, and I wanted to do something seasonal to cap off the final day of the workshop.  Three of them tried it with some great success showing some growth as artists which was wonderful to see.  

8" x 8"

oil on canvas board

Jake

This commission was received at the recent E. St.Paul dog show.  I took a number of photos of this beautiful borzoi, and his owner decided on this pose which is perfect because it is an accurate depiction of the posture and demeanor of the breed.  I loved poainting Jake and met him a couple of times.  What a lovely boy inside and out.

oil on board

16" x 12" 

Koi Fish Demo

This latest workshop demo was done in water soluble oils as three of the participants are using them and the question was are they okay.  Well I bought some new paints and they are head and shoulders better than the old set I have.  I would have no problem using them as my travel paints when air planes are involved.  I kinda like em'.

water soluble oil on canvas board

12" x 9"

Lone Pear

                                       

Day one of my latest workshop featured a drawing demo together with this painting focusing on values and edges.  I only added a few details during a 45 minute session in my studio.  I will show it to the group tomorrow where they will have a stab at painting their own version from the same photo.  

oil on board

8" x 10"

Apple Study

I will be teaching again at the Artist Emporium later this month and did this little painting to post on their ad.  Last workshop was a blast and hoping to lead two this time with one during the day Tuesdays and one Saturday afternoons.  I will post more info on instagram/FB as it becomes available.oil on canvas board

8" x 8"

Bull Terrier

This was a demo painting done at the E. St. Paul dog show this weekend which was just completed in my studio today.  I love bull terriers and their jaunty look. There were so many beautiful dogs this year with attendence up, and I was fortunate to get some commission work which will be posted as it completes.

oil on board

12" x 9"

When Life Gives You Lemons

Can't say life has given me more than my fair share of this citrusy fruit, but I probably deserved what I got.  Thought I'd try my hand at another orchard themed painting and after a couple maybe seven revisions this is the result.

oil on canvas

17 1/2" x 23 1/2" 

Sailing on Banderas Bay

This is a painting I did in exchange for a crown installed this last February in Bucerias.  The dentist Adrian Malja is fabulous, and his staff do wonderful work.  I couldn't be happier with what they did, and am pleased that he loved the painting.  My friend Don will deliver the rolled up canvas in June. 

oil on canvas

20" x 30"

Jules Bay

Decided to do a larger landscape for something a little different. Our province is blessed with over 100,000 lakes with cottage life and fishing definitely huge here.  This imagined shore line is like one I've seen many many times in a variety of different lakes.

oil on canvas

24" x 48"

 

Ambrosia Apples

Just framed, this painting of ambrosia apple which made some seriously delicious pie by the way, is available and looking for a new home.

oil on canvas

20" x 20"

Louie

This handsome fellow was a treasured friend missed sorely by his friend and owner.  I hesitate to use the word owner here because of the special bond that existed between the two.  Louie was a large, gregarious fellow who loved the beach with the opportunity to run,  and you can sense his fun loving spirit in the smile and look. He was a fun challenge to paint, and I was rewarded with an enthusiastic handshake and  thank you when he was picked up. No greater reward for an artist.

oil on board

12" x 9"

Rio

Rio was a beloved pet of a young family who are like family to me.  Here she is snuggled up with her arm around pal Airah who I'm sure misses her as much as the family.  This painting was done alla prima with about half an hour of touch ups the next morning.

oil on board

7 1/2"x 7 1/2"

Kim's Hat

This lovely lady was walking laps around the pool at our resort in Mexico and I was immediately struck by her beautiful unique looking hat.  After the second go around, I stopped her and requested a photo to do a sketch which she enthusiastically agreed to.  Her and her husband were down from Virden and I hope she sees this.
 

Ione"s Vase

Ione Thorkelson is a Manitoba treasure with her magnificent glass creations.  This is a vase I acquired close to forty years ago and never tire admiring the pure beauty of the piece.  It is perfection in it's lovely shape and gorgeous colours.  Now I didn't recreate the colours and marks perfectly, but the essence and feel of the piece are here.

oil on board

10" x 8"

Orkin

Orkin is my grandaughters pet cat in charge of pest control, and doing a fine job. This was a Christmas present which she requested, and here it is framed and ready to hang in it's new home.  My posting here is late as I was away...maybe Mexico...okay Mexico.  

oil on board

10" x 8"

Max

This was a collaboration with my four year old granddaughter who snapped this reference with her dad's cell phone.  She is an ardent artist who I know will appreciate this as her Christmas present...well if not now, later on perhaps...ha!  This is her rescue dog Max who is huge and now finally settling down.

oil on board

10" x 8"

Commission piece just finished of Charlie, who was a very loved and missed companion. A great looking dog who appears to have had tons of energy and personality which I hope can be felt with this portrait. oil on board  

oil on board

12" x 9"

Hommage To Nicolai Fechin

Theia

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This little Crested Chinese pup makes me think...when Cruella met Cyndi...ha!  I saw her and her owner at the E.St. Paul dog show in September and had to do a painting.  Another breed I was not familir with, and let's face it you don't see these being walked down the street every day.  I thought this would go nicely with an 8" x 10" collection I've started with Tor-Arne's chicken and  the rooster.  It will be mounted on top of the frame as are the others.

oil on board