Red sail, blue sail
Posted: June 14, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 50 CommentsI’ve finally found some boats in the water at the Beaconsfield Yacht Club, and lots of action on a sunny Sunday morning. This isn’t my usual boat club, but I will definitely be there more often this summer. It’s got lots more to paint, I can get closer to the boats, and there are views both from above, and also from water level.
Painting at water level has its challenges though. For this painting, I wanted to get in lots of the reflections, especially the red sail cover, which meant that I had to place the horizon line very high in the picture. I considered leaving out the docks that jut into the water, because the perspective was tricky, but I guess that’s the time you need to spend a little extra time with the drawing to figure out where they go, instead of giving up, like I was tempted to do. Painted on a block of Winsor & Newton 140 lb rough paper.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Shari, this is outstanding. I always appreciate your boats but as a ‘prairie person’ they don’t resonate like most of your other subject matters do. THIS however is magical. The reflections are simply grand and the composition exquisite.
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Many thanks Tylara. I like big skies and flat landscapes too, but I have more opportunity to paint boats than prairies.
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Amazing work! I think you captured the water & reflections perfectly ~
I don’t live by water, so I’ve never tried it. Does not look *easy*.
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This one wasn’t easy Elaine, but I took the time to look at the values and shapes in the water. I was happy with the result, and that doesn’t happen often. Thanks for writing.
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Your water is amazing. So glad you found some boats!
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Me too Carmel!
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Wow! This is just fantastic, Shari! Love that water and reflections – the boats and rigging! You sure have patience to complete this. 👍
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Thanks Linda. The weather was perfect, and there was a breeze so it was not hard to sit there and enjoy the moment.
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You captured movement very well
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Thanks Stephanie.
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Wow, magnificent…!
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Thanks!
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Fabulous. I can’t wait for your next course even though I haven’t caught up with the last one yet. My big dream is to confidently paint boats and water. You are a great teacher Shari.
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Irene, the next course is water! Not boats this time, just water, for now. Boats will be in another video.
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Your water is so good! I admire your drive to keep on painting.
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Thanks Kristina. Painting is a joy for me. I cherish the quiet moments that I have to do this.
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Just love the reflections on the water ! Great job and thanks for your constant inspiration to paint in watercolour.
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Thank you Lorraine!
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Oh my, this one is another winner! There’s so much to love about this painting. I shy away from complex scenes but you dive right in and by doing so encourage us to do the same. Hopefully as we wade through the waters, we will improve.
Thanks for your inspiration.
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Thanks Bernadette. It was a calm day when I painted, and that helps. When there’s wind, when the sun it blazing, I have less patience. But the mood of the day affects the time I take to really look at the scene, and I guess this was a calm one.
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This is so beautiful!!! The refections are so right on!!!! How long did it take you to do this? And what size? Using rough paper, I don’t see any indication of the paint running out of your brush. Do you use much more pigment and water? I would need to do lots of practice to get that much fluidity. Looking forward to seeing more from this location
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This is on a 14″ x 10″ block of Winsor & Newton Rough. Yes, you need a VERY wet brush for this. I am constantly adding more water, and I still wish it was wetter looking. As for time, it took about 1.5 hours. Thanks for writing Donna!
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Great work!
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Thanks Carolyn!
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So beautiful, the water is perfection!
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Thanks so much Nancy!
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Good Morning dear friend Shari,
The water and the reflections are really looking quite natural and that’s my impression joining all others with a similar impression.
Great you are
Blessings
Uma
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Many thanks Uma.
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Absolutely stunning. Two thumbs up.
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Thanks so much.
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Beautiful water.
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Thanks Sandi!
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No pain, no gain… this is outstanding. It is so nice to see ‘your water’ again.
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Thanks Chris. It sure felt great to get out.
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Simply fantastic in every way! I don’t often respond in writing but I do look, read and enjoy every one of your posts. You never disappoint whether it’s an old, simple wheel barrow or a very complex scene such as this. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with the world!
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Kristiina, I appreciate you taking the time to write! Glad you are still enjoying the words and the pictures!
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I love how you did the water here. Super fantastic picture.
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Many thanks Gail!
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Well done!!! I think the docks help lead you to the boats. Great reflections!!
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Thanks Joan!
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Wonderful! Great reflections and water surface. Glad you’re able to get out again.
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It really does feel great. I saw that you were out too. Glad to see that.
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That water is amazing
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Thanks so much Carolyn!
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Wow, just wow! This inspires me to try painting water, I live on a coast so I should try. Are you planning to do a class on painting water???
Thanks for this post. Fabulous. And so nice that you can get out to paint again.
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Thanks so much Iona. Yes, the water class is coming out very soon. Like in the next few days!!
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Wow! I really enjoyed how this waterfront scene worked out. It reminds me of a similar scene I’ve witnessed along Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
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Painting water and the reflections in it have always intrigued me, but my attempts don’t turn out as fresh as yours. Do you cover this subject in any of your videos?
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Hi Tim,
Thanks for asking. Good timing for your question. I have a new video coming out within the week and the subject is… water!! Not boats, just different types of water scenes. I’m very excited to release it! Shari
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Nice painting, I really like how you handled the reflections on the water.
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