My latest painting offered some unique challenges. First was making sure my underdrawing of the boat and the flow of the planks in the hull were correct and that i got the perspective right. Next was my gut feeling that i needed more than just this beautiful boat, my original photograph that i took ages ago had no sleeping workmen on the boat ( that would have been ideal!) so i always push myself to attempt figures, sometimes they come out good often it's hit or miss...these two didn't come out half bad, i can draw figures with ease but painting them is another story altogether. The big white tarpaulin covering the boat is basically white so i knew i had to make it work with some subtle blue shadows, i also resisted the urge to draw the shadows in...i realised they would show up so just used one of my trusty escoda brushes and started out with a very watery mixture of cerulean blue and ultramarine, towards the end of the painting they were feeling a bit weak so i mixed up a stronger batch and i feel this gave it a bit more punch. With a fine rigger i added the undulating lines that run horizontally along the folds and curves, this really helped give it a 3D feeling. I decided to save the hull for later rather like saving room for dessert! The background boatbuilders hut gave me a few problems, my intent was to keep it simple and light in value....that failed straightaway! I ended up wetting it and removing as much paint as i could, problem was i used a new addition to my arsenal of Daniel Smith paints..Quinacridone Gold, a beautiful colour but boy does it stain! Feeling incredibly disheartened that i had ruined my painting (i always feel this at some stage in almost every painting!) i decided to start enjoying myself and mixed up a big batch or Cobalt Teal along with some various blues and yellows. With my trusty travel hairdryer at hand i applied layer after layer of varying colour to build up the effect of peeling and fading painted wood being careful to leave lighter areas for the most faded and where i wanted some yellow to come through. Overall i spent a very enjoyable day painting this one...i can spot quite a few things i would do differently next time but i'm very happy with this one. I would love to hear your feedback on this painting, good or bad always welcome, as long as its constructive. All the best, Scott.
AuthorWatercolor painter En Plein Air in Vancouver, British Columbia and anywhere else in the world i can travel to. Archives
August 2024
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