Work In Progress

Its been a journey arriving at the realization that I want to specialize in PORTRAITS. When I was doing my "100 paintings from one painting a day" exercise, I started off with painting still lifes, then moved onto fresh fruit, then tried shoes (coz I had alot of them lying around), then clothes and one day - just out of running out of subject matter I tried drawing a face and had an AHA moment ! With portraits there is no margin for error - you either get it right or wrong. And that is what I like about doing portraits (probably also explains why I don't like doing landscapes).

So ever since I have been doing portraits only. I tried my hand at full body and half body but nothing compares to the pure joy from drawing a close up face.

Here is a piece I am working on currently, its taking longer than my usual sketches simply because I took a two month break and its taking a while to get back into the zone. Will post finished piece shortly.

Scenes from School and Moi

The last few days of me working on the skull, which is now framed and hanging in my kitchen. I am now onto my first oil assignment in school and itching to those brushes out.

Progress of current cast

Still working on the construct and have spent 2 full days just on the right eye. And I don't think I am done with it yet. The hair is going to be challenging as its the first time for me doing curly hair with so much detail in it.

This cast is called "Guiliano" the good looking twin as everyone refers to it in school. I look forward to transferring it on canvas and actually getting down to painting it.

ARA Spring Show & Sale Art

These are just some of the amazing art by fellow students that are put up for viewing & sale during the ARA Spring Exhibition. The photos do not justice to the actual pieces and worth the trip in seeing them up front.

All pics courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art Toronto.

Spring Exhibition at ARA

Courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art

My school is hosting a Student organized Spring Show & Sale next weekend and today most of the works were put up. Honestly there is some serious talent in our school. Most of the work is student's assignments which are produced under direction from our teachers. The realism achieved is amazing to say the least. 

Drop in at the school next weekend to see the incredible artwork in person.

Scenes from School

The main aisle featuring works of students in graphite, charcoal and oil

Students work in oil

Close up

Courtesy of The Academy of Realist Art

After my trip to India and Dubai, I have resumed classes at school and wanted to share some daily scenes. The students impress me everyday and it is wonderful to be surrounded by so much talent and beauty everyday.

Daily Sketch "Wandering Thoughts"

I find that you start off with a blank page and then some higher power guides your hand and the result is this. I never go in with a plan but am finding that my work is going in a direction that I like. Think I will stick with this format...........

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Wandering Thoughts
Graphite on Manila Paper

Family at the Comic Con 2014 Toronto

The family went to the Toronto Comic Con last week and was I impressed with all the artists there. They had over 5 alleys of Artists with many Action Hero Illustrators but I found myself most drawn to the below three artists.

Shilin Illustration

Talking to Shilin who's work was so delicate and beautiful, she said its hard being an artist and she actually studied to be a music teacher and art was her hobby. Now she is illustrating full time and creating some amazing comic books. Her sketch book was for sale at $35 and I was so tempted to buy it.

Rebecca Yanovskaya

The lovely Rebecca with her amazing work

Rebecca's work was done in ball point and gold leaf and I loved the ethereal characters and representations of the god-like characters. She was so sweet and helpful, even gave me a contact for a good art printer in Toronto. Le Pix if you are looking for one.

Lamin Illustration

I didn't get to talk to Lamin but his work was just as beautiful and I was standing there just drooling over the details. I so envy these artists who have mastered digital art. I am still mastering manual art so really don't know when I will get to the Wacom.

My babies Aaliyah & Layla along with me in the Artists Alleys.

I was most pleased to see that my daughters were as interested in the Artists as I was. The older one is studying Visual Art in High School, and the younger one is into cartoon illustration..........what can I say - the apples don't fall far from the tree.

daily sketch - glances

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Glances
Graphite on Manila Paper

This is an older one done before the Young Queen. The more I do, the better I get.

Daily sketch "The Young Queen"

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: The Young Queen
Graphite on Manila Paper

I feel she needs a heart shaped mole on her right cheek..............just like a young Victorian Queen would have. Enjoyed rendering the softness of the lips and eyes.

Did I tell you I love doing portraits ? I love doing portraits. Something about the human face just fascinates me.

Daily Sketch "Matilda"

Artwork by Lynda D'Souza
Title: Matilda
Graphite on Sketch paper

This portrait was done on my sketch pad paper and I found the paper too stark - too white - for what I wanted the end result to look like. Plus it transferred quite a bit of the graphite on the page that went over it. Think I am going to stick to my manila paper from here on.

Daily Sketch "Grace"

Title: Grace
Graphite on Manila Paper

Been in India for 3 weeks and took my sketching tools with me but was too busy to get any sketchwork done. So plan to start again this week and have some great images lined up for repro.

Daily Sketch "Mixed Potion"

Title: Mixed Potion
Graphite on manila paper

I really like this manila paper - its got great textures (maybe a little too much) and a nice warm color. Did this with Staedtler graphites and added some white pencil highlights.

Daily Sketch "Rozette"

Title: Rozette
Graphite on sketch paper with watercolors

Added a bit of water color blue to the back...............turned out awright!

Second Charcoal Assignment - Skull

Oh heck ! The last I posted was exactly a year ago..............that can't be good. I didn't mean to let this time slide but my Fashion Business kind of took over. I am still going to Art school and graduated to level 3 already.

But I promise I am going to post more often as I have started sketching again and turning out some graphite portraits that I am proud to share with you guys. So hang in here with me...........I will try to do better........I promise to do better at blogging.

Just done with my first charcoal assignment and these pics are of the artwork about 90% done. I should be completely finished with it by tomorrow and starting on my second assignment - yay ! 

Charcoal assignment on the easel with cast on the wall to the left

Close up of the cast on the wall 

Close up of the cast and charcoal

Close up of the charcoal 

Me and my charcoal 

Art Talk Chez Margaret Stawicki

These are my favorite Art buddies at one of our bi-monthly Art meet ups at Margaret's place. I always walk away so inspired from their company....our subjects of discussion vary from Art, encaustic painting, best male models to paint (David Gandy won hands down), going to Art Galleries and more. They make going to school so much more worth it! Thanks for having us over Margaret!

p.s. Do you see me wearing one of my designs? Look closely............or hop over to my Clothing shop at Sparrow Lyn. Thank you for the encouragement everyone - it means the world to me.

Launch of my second shop Sparrow Lyn Fashion

Hand screen printed Original Artwork Skull on Womens Blouse 

Exciting news for you - I have launched my own Fashion Label called Sparrow Lyn. The shop will stock Bohemian Rocker Vintage + Handmade, Hand screen printed Tees with my original illustrations and Fashion Accessories. The first limited run of Tees are a very Hippie Bohemian collection with dream catchers, skulls and bull heads. These are fun times for me as I get to expand my Art into my love for Fashion.

Please check out my second SHOP and tell me what you think guys!!

Panama sold !

Title: Panama
Medium: Oil on Hardboard
Artist: Lynda D'Souza

SOLD 

Painting featured in Etsy Treasury for the 24th Time

My painting titled "Panama" was featured in an ETSY Treasury 'Sloth visits Rhino' along with other work from the talented artists on Etsy.

Artist: Lynda D'Souza
Title: Panama (A Panama hat against a brown background)
Size: 8" x 8"
Medium: Oil on Hardboard 

The treasury was curated by Megan of Blushie shop, a talented lady who creates handmade soaps, mineral make up and perfume oils. Her soaps look good enough to eat.  Do drop by her shop to see more of her beautiful creations. 

Blushie Etsy Shop 

The treasury can be viewed here as well as many others.