Sea to Sea in Canada: Are You Up to the Challenge?

Developing a new skill can be so much fun. One afternoon in early August, Al and I went to the Manuels River Experience Interpretative Centre. I have to mention that it was a nice sunny afternoon - the kind of afternoon that invites you to stroll along the trails of the Manuels River. Well, that is what Al did. I, on the other hand, went to a Coffee and Canvas workshop in the Centre.

A local artist, Bobbi Pike, was sharing with a group of 15 women how to paint a picture using a few easy steps. Our theme for the day was to paint a row of three "Jellybean Row Houses". These colourful houses are the subject of many photos and paintings around St. John's. Remember that "Jellybean Row Houses" is only a name given to the colourful houses you will see throughout St. John's. There is not one particular street called Jellybean Row. I just love the colours of these houses. It reminds me of youth and fun, bright and cheery!

My finished picture. Notice the added essential outhouse.

Bev with Bobbi Pike (artist)

The group with their finished paintings.

Working away!

Are you up to the challenge? You too can paint these houses. Here are the steps:

Step 1: With a pencil, outline the houses. Draw a horizontal line across the bottom of the canvas and then one across the middle of the canvas. From the middle line down towards the bottom line draw the shape of your house with roofs at or above the line. You can make the house walls curvy and add any roof shape you want. Once the houses in the front are done, now sketch the outline of the houses in the second row which are seen as black shadows. Any shape walls and roofs. Add windows and doors, etc.

Outline your houses from middle horizontal line to bottom line

Step 2: With black paint, paint all the areas that would be black. That would be the bottom of canvas and the shadow of the second row of houses.

Paint all the black areas

Step 3: With light blue paint, paint the sky between the houses from the middle line to bottom.

Paint the lower sky between the houses

Step 4: With darker blue paint, paint the sky from the middle line up. Remember to paint the edges of the canvas with the matching colours.

Paint the upper sky with darker blue.

Now mix some of the light and dark blue together and paint it along the middle line so that the line softens or blurs. With your brush on the dry side you can use the same mixture to blend in clouds and soften the darker blue. See my finished picture.

Step 5: Here is where the colour comes in. Choose 3 colours and paint each house a different colour. Paint the doors using one of the colours you have chosen for the houses. For the windows, use red on the top half and yellow on the bottom and with a dry brush blend them together in the middle. This will make it look like there is a light on in the house.

Windows have red and yellow blended together to create an atmosphere of lights on in the house.
Finish off with outlining everything -- houses, doors, windows, etc. Don't forget the door knobs and anything you want to add like flowers and birds.

Step 6: Use black paint to outline all the houses, doors, windows, etc. Add a little water to the paint. This will assist with making the outline smoother. The outline can be thick or thin - it is up to you.

Tip: Look at your work from a distance. It will look better. Don't be too critical of your work. Take pictures of each stage as you progress, you will see it better. Have Fun!

When you finish your painting send me a photo of yourself holding it. Send it to sea2seacanada@gmail.com

Here is what Al experienced along the trail of Manuels River.