Calm before a storm
Posted: June 23, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 11 CommentsIf you look at reflections on their own, they are wonderfully abstract, especially on a windless day like today when there’s no movement in the water to disturb them. I got lost in the patterns of these for a long time before drawing them, and then decided that I would try to treat them as a single painted shape. Squinting helps to see that shape.
I used an unusual brush to paint the shape. One that holds a lot of water but is very thin and floppy. It’s a Tintoretto brush that I bought in Italy. And because it holds so much water, and makes a very wet shape, it allows me to constantly change the colour of my wash, as I move from left to right, without have dry edges. If you want to see this unusual brush, have a look here.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
I love the high horizon, allowing for long squiggle reflections.The dock shadows really set off the boats. Everything just works to make a beautiful composition, light and airy. Love it.
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Thanks so much Jeff. This particular marina had no boats in it last week, but I was so happy to see them in the water today, despite the heat here in Montreal. Hope it’s not too hot in Vermont!
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What a wonderful painting. Great squiggles (that’s a technical term, right?).
Oh I do get tempted by all the lovely brushes you introduce to us followers. This one is particularly pretty.
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Thanks Alison. Yes, I guess those are squiggles. No other word that I can think of that would be that appropriate for those marks.
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This is the exact view I see from our boat at the local marina. I seem to get get caught up in putting in too many details. Your beautiful sketch has inspired me to try again. Just love your sketch.
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Lucky you to have that view from your boat Carmel. If you want to paint a scene like this, keep it simple. I do a more detailed drawing of the front layer of boats but the back rows are just spots and dots of lights and darks. That makes it a lot simpler. Plus, when I paint the foreground boats, I try to combine the shape of the boat and its reflection. That also helps.
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Shari … that does help. You combine the boat with the reflection similar to connecting an object or person with a shadow. Thank you for the tip. I hope to get started on the water course this weekend. Then down to the marina 🙂
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Nice painting I really like how you got the reflections on the boats.
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I don’t think it is necessarily the brush…it is the hand holding the brush that makes these wonderful reflections. Well done!
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Good Afternoon dear friend Shari,
Really looking calm, amazing sketch, as usual.,
Blessings,
Uma
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I feel like I am there. It’s so cool and calm-looking when it’s three digit temperatures here. So inviting. Just pulls me in as all of your sketches do.
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