Riverdale Farm

 A few of us headed over the Riverdale Farm to do some urban sketching. There are lots of farm animals, including pigs!

I found this hidden door, out of the sun and away from the crowds and thought it had lots of potential. Good contrasts. 

I used my paintbox, which opens like a pizza box, and holds a 6x8" watercolour pad (bulldog clip to hold it on) and my Cotman Watercolour Travel palette. A paint box is great to work from. I was sitting on a stool (from a camping shop) and it balances nicely on my lap. I recommend it if an easel is too much to carry and if you want to try watercolours on site. : ) You just need a box that opens like a pizza box....

I enjoy painting rocks. They are good chunky shapes. Also, I tried to keep the bricks quiet with light colours to contrast the interesting door. 

Happy Sketching Everyone.

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A Few Doors...

I found this lovely sundial at the University of Toronto campus near Victoria College. I meant for the painting to be about the sundial however as I painted it, the door became just as interesting. Still using my little eyeshadow kit that I converted to the world's most discreet watercolour paint kit.

This is from Riverdale Farm. This time I meant to paint the door. : ) I liked the dark recess of the interior of the barn. I switched the light direction so that the shaded side of the barn would be the right side, not the door side... just for contrast. 

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Nora MacPhail

Riverdale Farm

I spent the day at the awesome Riverdale Farm here in Toronto.

I painted this with a small watercolour kit that was once an eyeshadow case. : )

I also used the popular waterhandle brush which, just like it sounds, holds water in it's plastic handle.

This is a wonderful quaint pizza oven outside the historical Simpson House. There are tons of subjects to paint at the Farm, which was once the original Toronto Zoo. They have horses, cows, chickens, goats, and rams. Also, a wonderful duck pond and a huge natural pond full of beautiful birds.

Nora MacPhail
http://noramacphail.blogspot.ca