Sketching Cherry Blossoms at High park

I have been to High Park several times, but this was my first time to sketch cherry blossoms during peak season in May. 

Did you know? The first Japanese Somei - Yoshino Cherry tree was sent as a gift from the citizens of Tokyo in 1959. Later, the trees were donated under the "Sakura Project" to High Park and other locations such as Exibition Place and University of Toronto. 

Robarts Library - University of Toronto

On October 30, TOUSK met at the University of Toronto Library called Robarts Library. We hoped to sketch outside since the building has a very interesting architectural structure. It is shaped like a turkey, or maybe a peacock, or is it a turtle... ; ) We all seemed to hear and see different things...

Nonetheless, the cold weather drove many of us inside where there was lots to sketch. 

Here are my 5x7" sketches, done in 6B pencil on 90lb watercolour paper. 

I didn't bring watercolour paint with me since I wasn't sure the library would be cool with it... so, I added paint to this one once I got home.

The students were so busy studying, they didn't notice me drawing them.  Also, I don't believe there is enough of a likeness to anyone to cause offence. 

 I liked the composition of this one below, so I left it alone.

 Practising a bit more perspective on this one. 

There were lots of new member there last week. Great to see so many more Urban Sketching Enthusiasts out there!! See you all next time.

Nora MacPhail

My Etsy Page - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WatercoloursbyNora

My Travel Watercolour Palette

Flower pots in front of Sony Centre on Front street.

    


Some people keep asking me about what kind of travel watercolour set I am using/  what do they consist of. I have to say I am an amateur painter who is still finding the colours that suit my style best. I have yet to try all of the different watercolour brands or art supplies out there.

A few years back I wanted to sketch on location, I started off with Winsor&Newton Cotman Watercolour Set for my first travel watercolour palette. The reason I bought this set was because of its small size, convenience and the colour quality is good enough to paint on my tiny sketchbooks. Later I realized some of the colours were not bright enough for my style. I personally love vibrant colours, so I purchased some artist grade watercolour paint to try out. 
Here are the colours I am using in  my travel watercolour palette - Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Hue, Winsor Red, Cadmium Orange, Purple Lake, Lamp Black, Sap Green, Viridian Hue, Cerulean Blue, French Ultramarine, Indigo, Burnt Umber and a couple of tiny colours I put on the top are Cobalt Blue Hue and Permanent Rose.

I would love to hear what travel watercolour set are you using. Want to share? Comment below.

friends with

Spent a lovely Friday afternoon enjoying a tea and drawing a few people. Cafe culture is up and running now that Spring is in the air. : )

close up -

I drew this with a 6B pencil then added some watercolour from my Winsor & Newton travel kit. The painting is 6x8", so pretty discreet at a cafe.

close up -

It's nice to see people talking to each other, rather than staring at their computers and iPhones. ; ) 

If you haven't tried sketching at a cafe, I highly recommend it. No one has ever minded that I am drawing them, in fact the few people that notice over the years, have been thrilled! Happy Urban Sketching Everyone.

See more at my Etsy Shop.

The temporary St. Lawrence Market North

Today it was nice in the afternoon even though it rained in the morning. I went to sketch the temporary St. Lawrence Market North which has moved to the south side of  St. Lawrence Market on the Esplanade. It is a good place to check out the farmer market and the antique market on the weekend. The old location is currently shut down and going to be demolished.

Urban Sketching at University of Toronto campus

While wandering through the University of Toronto campus, this little lane jumped out at me as an interesting subject.

Cherry Trees are in season right now, so I quickly spotted this one, along with the bicycle with a basket, the birch trees and the lane. As I sat down to draw it, I realized there was too much going on, especially since I like to add people to my urban sketches as well. So, I figured since I didn't see the birch trees at first and they weren't what really interested me, they would have to go.

I decided to make the white tree pink, as many of the Cherry Trees are. A lot of students were walking by so I added a few, one with a knapsack.

There are some warm red flowers at the base of the tree that I used to contrast the hot pink (Opera Pink) I used for the tree. 

Here's my paintbox with my Cotman Travel Watercolour Kit (squeezed my own tube watercolours into it), my favourite Micron Graphic pen, brush and a 5x7" watercolour pad that fits into the lid. The water cup and rag are attached to the side with a bulldog clip.

Thanks and Happy Painting Everyone!

Nora MacPhail

See My Etsy Shop

See My Blog - with a link to my YouTube painting videos.

Bata Shoe Museum

Last week I joined some fellow sketchers at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. I became a bit obsessed with the high heels.

Some of the pieces, like the satin bejewelled Roger Vivier pair, were very architectural. The 1920's T-strap features intricate cut-work and hand-stitched detailing on the 'vamp' (upper top) and toe box. Another earlier example mixes tartan fabric and leather, dyed mauve. It's doubtful many women could have afforded such luxuries.