André Vaillant

Sketch: 05 - October 10, 2024
"I did this sketch based off of a photo my sister sent me of the lake we grew up on. This is my first attempt at doing a nocturne an I'm considering doing a larger or more detailed version of this one. It has some potential I think if I refine some aspects. Another more committed version of this piece might be worth doing soon."

I've always considered the idea of doing a nocturne style painting a little daunting. I'm not sure why. Maybe because of the compressed values, maybe I just lacked confidence in my ability to mix the subtle tonal changes. Either way I'm glad I finally made the effort. I'm seriously considering doing another attempt with this work. I did this in a few hours this afternoon and feel like if I take a little more time, maybe a couple days, it could actually end up being a rather impressive piece.

What do you think? Is it worth another go?

Just a little teaser of something I'm working on based on those sketches I did a week or two ago. I haven't had much energy to tackle this one as fast as I normally do, but the work that I am getting to do does seem to be better than usual. I tend to do paintings that have very obvious foreground elements that are heavily detailed, and less large expansive landscapes. So this is a bit of an experiment?... Gamble?... Well it's definitely something new. I'll be cursive to see how it's received when I finally finish it.

For a long time I've wanted to be a full-time artist. Not so much because I want to make a living at it, though that would be helpful, but rather because I want to master my craft and try reach my highest potential as an artist. Over this past year I've worked harder on this goal than ever before, dedicating hundreds of hours working on new pieces and doing more shows in the last 9 months than the past three years combined. It's been an overwhelming success by all accounts.

But in the process of my last painting I realized that if I want to really improve as an artist, I need to stop worrying about doing it full time and focus on just painting more; more sketching, more small studies, more little paintings to practice and work out issues before I get into the larger works. I feel like I need to put dedicated effort into refining my approach and improving my weak areas, hopefully that will in the end lead to better paintings. So I've walked away from some big potential opportunities and put some big goals on hold while I take the next year to really try master both myself and my artistic practice.

Today instead of rushing into my next full-size painting, I've started to put this into practice. I've been playing around, working out colour strategies and comparing watercolor and acrylic sketching styles. I'm excited to slow down the process, and see how this influences the full-size work that I'll be starting on soon. As always thanks for being on this journey with me, I appreciate you all and all the support you give me while I'm on this crazy journey.

"Sparkle & Shine - Hopewell Rocks" 16x16 inches, acrylic on cradled panel.

When I posted the reveal of this painting the other day, I mentioned that this work was done off of a stock photo I had purchased a while back. I was specifically looking for something that I could practice working with this special style of lighting, and because I didn't have any photos which I had taken that provided me with the reflective qualities I was looking for. In retrospect I probably shouldn't have used one of my panels for a practice piece, but working at full size did give me the opportunity to really work on some of the more challenging aspects of the piece and had to wrestle with some of the short comings of the style I've been using lately. Overall I feel like it came out pretty well, and I certainly learned a lot.

However I'm finding myself second guessing some elements of my approach, which has been making it difficult to commit to my next piece. Sadly this is a holdover from my freelance graphic designer days when to survive each new project had to be the best project I had done to that date. It has the upside of always pushing me forward but can also make me doubt myself more than I should. I've been contemplating doing more small studies, or other small practice pieces so that whatever I do next is more professional and refined.

A question for my fellow painters on here; what is your preferred way of working out issues with you process or method? I often do small thumbnails or sketches to work out compositional or value challenges. But do you do small paintings or studies in your sketchbooks or do you a cheaper option as a surface for your practice works? Do you do practice work, or I guess studies, to work out specific issues that you're encountering? I'd love to hear how you work and overcome the areas that give you challenges.

Prints are finally here! It's been an exhausting but gratifying couple weeks with the show in the where I received an Honorable Mention, being accepted into the Sooke Fine Arts Show, and now a successful print release. I'm so grateful for these opportunities to showcase my work and all the amazing support everyone has given me. Every painting feels like a small step forward towards my goal of getting to do this full time. So thank you all!

I've got a new painting almost finished, but due to a broken camera on my phone it's staying a secret for a little longer, but check back in soon and I'll be showing it off soon.

If you want your own print of "Rising Tide - Mystic Beach" you can go through the link in my bio, or hit it up directly through:
www.andrevaillant.com/shop

"Rising Tide - Mystic Beach" - 16"x16" - acrylic on wood panel

I've seen few things in this world that rival the beauty and majesty of Mystic Beach. The sandstone cliff rising dramatically from the terminus of the high tide line. A monument of nature carved from the forest from the forest above by the unrelenting waves and rain of passing winter storms. Now in the heat of summer it's briefly shrouded in a morning mist that lingers from a cool coastal night, quickly dissipating as the sun approaches mid-day. The remnants of the mist almost glow when illuminated, providing a dynamic backdrop to an already impressive view. Each year I make at least on trip to Mystic Beach and hike the Juan de Fuca Trail to revel I. The ever-changing beauty and moods of this incredible place. Each time I'm surprised by how it seems even more remarkable than I remembered. It quite simply is one of the most iconic places on Vancouver Island.

The original of this painting is currently being juried for inclusion in the Sooke Fine Art Show, but I'll be releasing full size paper and canvas prints through my website (andrevaillant.com) in a couple weeks. Sign up to my collectors list for early access and a 15% discount on them!

Here's a little fragment of current painting in my studio. I have a feeling this is going to be my favorite painting to date...

The style is tight and precise but intuitive and it's letting me work faster than ever before. It's putting pressure on my weaknesses and forcing me to become a better painter in the process. I'm playing more with atmospheric light, creating depth, and getting more precise with my colour mixing with acrylics as well.

With so many incredible artists on or near Vancouver Island it's been a challenge to find my own voice, and to create something that reflects a little of who I am in my process and aesthetic. For people who have been following me for a while, I'm not entirely sure they'll like the shift, but as artists we must always be reflecting, re-evaluating, growing, and refining. Sometimes this is in our work, sometimes this is within ourselves.

With this most recent section completed it's time to get back to work and start on those exciting foreground elements before the festivities tonight. I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

I've been working almost every spare moment on this painting for the last two months. I'm grateful that I've been able to focus so much on developing my techniques while working on it and that it's actually coming out looking how I wanted it to. Over the last year I've been trying to paint more inline with the way I draw, rather than the realism that I've done in the past, in hopes of developing a more unique and personal artistic voice. I feel like I've made at least a little progress with that goal, especially since I still feel like a novice when it comes to painting with acrylics. I find each painting provides the opportunity to learn and grow, both in technique and as a person. So with that all said, it's back to work and hopefully the finished piece will be done in a couple weeks!

I'm excited to announce that I'm now an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists! Last summer I visited the Federation Gallery with my sister, and I mentioned how it would be so cool to exhibit in it some day. I fully believed

"Black Spruce in Winter" 9x12 inches - Acrylic on panel
I thought it fitting that the last painting of the year be a winter scene, as we roll into the holiday season. I've never done a winter painting before this one, for whatever reason it's never been something that I really thought to do.

I've been experimenting with the idea of painting more like the way I draw, to balance the realism of the scene with a technical approach that I'm been playing around with. I'm quite happy how this one came out. Simply because I just did the best job I could and it came out pretty close to the idea I started off with. I can see where things went well and the things I still need to improve. Having only returned to working in acrylics about a year ago, I still consider myself a novice in the medium, however I am happy with the progress.

I had planned to start working on a new painting in the next couple weeks and take a little rest and visit family. But since I'm super sick and all the plans have basically been cancelled, I might find myself working in the studio more than usual. I don't think I'll have the next piece finished before the end of the month but with the extra time on my hands it might just happen.

I hope you have a happy holiday season!

"Reaching for the Light" - 12"x9" Acrylic on panel
I usually like to paint places far in the mountains or along the coastal trails, but this little guy is much closer to home. On the beach near Pkols, tucked in the shadows, this Douglas fir leans out over ocean to catch the last of the afternoon light. Easy to reach, I've come to this tranquil spot often to watch the fading light dance across the waves and illuminate the islands in the straight.

Just a little taste of something in the works

Happy thanksgiving long weekend everyone. I've been thinking a lot about the things I'm thankful for, the people in my life, the things I get to do, the places I get to go and see. I'm grateful that I get to make my art and that there are people out there who enjoy it, appreciate it, and give them homes.

I want to thank each of you for being part of this journey.

Puppy photo dump: Newt finally got to meet the pumpkins I've been growing in the garden 🎃

Another incredible night at the Sooke Fine Art Show. It's always such an incredible time meeting and talking with such incredible artist about their work and process. I'm also so grateful and humbled that both my works sold! It's been an amazing first to see a red dot by my works in an exhibition!

I haven't been able to make much in the way of new works lately but I'm looking forward to using this momentum and getting some new paintings done, and maybe if I'm lucky another show or two this year!

A full shot of my latest piece, " Morning Parade".

My only actual artistic training was in illustration for graphic design, all my painting has been self-taught. So when I recently I heard that "to become a better painter, get better at drawing" it inspire me to go back to one of my earlier styles of drawing.

I wanted to flush out and refine an old sketching style I used for logo concepts and see if it could be used to create a realistic and well thought out drawing. I used a combination of markers and coloured pencils on toned paper to create the layers and transitions in the tones, and white gauche to build the white box.

I'm thinking I might do a few more of these or at least use them to flush out my ideas before getting started on the paintings and flush them out in colour. If you like this new style, drop a like and let me know what you like about it, I'd love to hear what you think is working or not with it.

Been awhile, but I'm finally back to at it with this little work in progress. To all my fellow artists, is there a piece of advice that inspired you or drastically changed your direction or views as an artist? I've been thinking a lot on the things at influence us, and I'm curious what advice you all have received as you began your careers.

One tip I heard awhile back was that to be a become a better painter, get better at drawing. I found it was rather insightful, and it's something I've been trying to keep in mind as I work on this one. I never received any formal fine art training, but I had a couple classes in graphite realism and editorial illustration when I was in college for graphic design. I think it is a major influence on the style I've developed over the years. Interesting how revisiting the past is potentially the way forward.

My first digital release of my series Smallscapes is officially one day out and I'm so excited to finally make these paintings available! My online shop will open exclusively to my collector's list starting tomorrow, Wednesday Feb 15 and then open to the general public starting Friday Feb. 17!

All 4 originals and a limited run of signed and numbered prints will be available. I hope you'll swing through my site and check it out!

"Silver Linings" Acrylic on panel - 8"x8"
This painting is the first time I've really departed from my source material and work solely from a sketch. The added step also added time but I feel that it left a little.more room for personality style to come through, almost like a game of visual Telephone, it was a process of a sketch being sketched for the final rendering.

It feels a little weird to not approach the painting with the intention or realism. I'll need to think and introspect on if there needs to be more realism or detail involved. I would love to hear what you're thoughts on this one are, drop me a comment constructive feedback is always welcomed.

This is also the last pain in the Small-scapes Vol.1 series and tomorrow will be the 1 week mark until the early collectors release. Excited? I sure am!

I hope you'll check it out, and as always thanks for joining me on this journey ♥️

Small-scapes #3: "Fir Trees at Alldridge Point"
8"x8" (20.3cm x 20.3 cm) - Acrylic on cradled panel

This was my last painting of 2022, and I wanted to do something a little different for it. The first two paintings in the series had a very similar tone and palette, so for this painting I wanted to play with light and colour to try give the painting a different feel and atmosphere than the photo. I've solidified some current techniques with this one and learn some new tricks as well.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of this one!

What an amazing night at the Sooke Fine Art Show last night! It was truly incredible getting to go to an artist celebration and not only see my work on display, but also the work from so may other amazing artists from the Island.

I'm absolutely thrilled to have seen and met some of my favorite Vancouver Island artists while we were there as well, like incredible & , as well the amazing and so many others!

The show will be open to the public until August 1st, so you should definitely get down and check it out, you won't be disappointed!