Rodney Maiato

Learn to See Beyond Color. See Values.

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 13:22:22 -0500

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard artists say “Value does the work, and color gets the credit”. And despite knowing it, sometimes I’ll overlook checking my value structure when I’m trying to fix a bad painting. Occasionally, I remember to take a photograph of my work, and convert it to grayscale where it becomes clear that my values are off. If you’re not already doing this, give it a try.

Country road somewhere peaceful

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I used google maps street view to source a real location for sketching and composition practice.Sometimes I need to get out but the weather just won’t allow it, so virtual it is. Better than not sketching …I guess.

Self Portrait Practice With Procreate

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Getting better with every practice session! When I kick back on the couch post-work, it’s a no-brainer to grab my iPad, fire up Procreate, slap on a reference photo, and just roll with it. Procreate’s got some cool perks, like flipping your work around in a flash and checking it out in grayscale real quick. I’m all about painting over mistakes instead of hitting that undo button — it’s all part of the journey, right?

Lamppost in Gouache

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This sketch in gouache was done on a sunny day but it looks like a night painting. I guess this is what happens when you lay off painting for a few months. The colors are too dark and too cold. I will return to this spot and try again. I’ll make sure to take a photo for comparison later on.

80 Year Old Clock Still Works

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

This clock is over 80 years old. My step dad acquired it in the 1980s. I doubt an Apple watch could last 80 years. Below is the actual clock, and converted to grayscale to better analyze values. It’s not too bad, but another sketch in gouache is another lesson learned.

Painting in Ucluelet

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Here’s what I saw from our room with a view. This is the furthest west that I’ve ever been. By far, one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever seen in Canada. Next time I go back, I’ll make sure to paint more. Below is the right side of the landscape Moleskine watercolour sketchbook in a 8.25″ × 5″ size.

Sketching During River Road Bike Ride

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

River Road runs along the north side of Richmond, facing Vancouver — it was part of my bike commute to work. There are usually cars and campers pulled over along the road. I suspect some of those people live there full time. It gave the place a quiet, unhurried feeling that I liked. Great spot for sketching marine and industrial views. I brought a sketchbook and watercolour palette and stopped to paint.

Monochrome Self Portrait

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Working in monochrome forces you to focus on shapes instead of getting lost in details. Without color to lean on, you have to commit to your values. And there’s something liberating about leaving things out — letting the viewer’s imagination fill in the blanks.

Gouache Painting of a Chair

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

I painted this chair a year ago today. I bought this chair for $30 about 30 years ago from the Delta hotel in Montreal when they were liquidating old furniture. I reupholstered the seat and it’s still a great chair that’s made of solid wood.

Deer Lake Quiet Stream

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A peaceful little stream at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby — a great place to escape the madness of nearby Metrotown. I used to come here to sketch. There’s something about sitting by a quiet stream that makes it easy to slow down and just look.

My Octopus Teacher

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Inspired by the Netflix documentary of the same name. I loved it. The anatomy of an octopus is fascinating — eight arms, three hearts, and the ability to change color and shape in an instant. I had to paint one.

The Queen Mary Cathedral in Montreal

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

The Queen Mary Cathedral sits in downtown Montreal, and just behind it is a hotel that has been renamed over the years — it used to be the Château Champlain, where my mom worked for 18 years. Montreal is rich in old architecture. Every block has something worth drawing. Done with Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens and a fountain pen in a Rhodia notebook.

Central Park Burnaby Autumn

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Burnaby’s answer to Central Park — and just as beautiful in autumn. My wife and I would often come here for walks. It’s the kind of place that feels a world away from the city even though it’s right in the middle of it.

Lessons From Self Portraits

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Done near the end of the pandemic. By that point it had worn me down — I was burnt out, and I think the drawing reflects it. Sometimes art doesn’t lie.

Parc Extension Where I Grew Up

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Parc Extension is the neighbourhood in Montreal where I grew up — and where my family still lives today. The house we live in belonged to a man whose daughter went on to produce a TV show called Dogs with Jobs. Every place has a story.

Early Morning Sketching

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Every morning I’d sit at this same spot with a coffee, and every morning I’d feel frustrated — I never knew what to sketch. So I just drew the same view over and over. Then one day I noticed something I’d never seen before, even though it had always been there. That’s when I understood what the practice was actually for.

Dark Self Portrait

Sat, 01 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

My first attempt at starting a self portrait practice. Looking at it now I can see the mistakes — the contrast is too strong, the colors too cold. But I learned a lot about the materials. Part of the problem was using professional grade watercolor paper and being too afraid to ruin it. Switching to cheaper paper changed everything — suddenly I could take risks.