Low tide at Rocky Neck
Posted: June 12, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 30 CommentsIt feels great to get back to Cape Ann. I haven’t been to this part of Massachusetts since before the pandemic. In a few days I’ll be teaching a workshop with Slow River Studio in Topsfield, but I’ve arrived a few days early to paint, and visit a few of my favourite spots in Rockport and Gloucester. I’ve really missed seeing the lobster boats and the views of this coast, but I’ve also missed the sound of the fog horn, the smell of sea air and the crying of the gulls.
We’re staying on Rocky Neck for the first time. As you enter this little community, there’s a parking lot with a spectacular view looking across the bay at Gloucester. There’s also a bench and a great view of a dock which is at its best at low tide when you can see all the exposed dark pilings. It’s a complex scene but I tried to unify it by using a series of warm and cool neutrals and adding touches of colour at the end. Painted on a 1/4 sheet of Arches Rough paper.
“Complex scene” is an understatement- This came out amazing!
Denise, thanks. We won’t be doing this in the workshop : )
Whew, that’s a relief😂
One word question. How?It’s soooo complicated. I would love see how you deal with a complicated subject. I would be lost.GracecAfridi
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Grace, this one would be hard to explain. It’s very intuitive. I start with large shapes but then do lots of dabbing, adding darks and bits of pure colour.
Wow, that’s wonderful! And I’m with Grace, I would love to see how you deal with a complicated subject such as this.
Iona, as I wrote to Grace, this one was very intuitive so it would be hard to do a course on this. I don’t think I could talk while painting because there’s an internal conversation going on. Glad you like it.
What a complicated scene you have organized so seamlessly we can dissect every detail!
I am glad you escaped the intense smoke in
Your area to this lovely part of the world!
Thanks Linda. It actually wasn’t that bad when we left Montreal. I think most of the smoke drifted south into the US. But I don’t expect it will be the last of it. They say the fires will last all summer.
Wow……!!!!! Incredible – and I bet it didn’t take you very long either…..!!!!!! I especially love the touches of red and that brownish shadow under the end of the pier.
And is that QC wildfire smoke in the sky……That’s not very funny, is it?
Enjoy the visit and the teaching. And the summer. xoxo M
Thanks Mary. You’re right, it didn’t take that long. That is fog, not wildfire smoke, but it actually could be a mix. It’s been very foggy here this week. I hope you enjoy your summer too. Xoxo.
Wow……!!!! Incredible – and I bet it didn’t take you very long either. I especially love the red highlights and the brown shadow under the end of the pier.
And is that smoke from the QC wildfires that I see in the sky…….? Yikes.
Enjoy the sea and the teaching and the summer. Mary xo
Absolutely stunning!
Thanks Sherry!
Love it. Know you are going to have a good time!
It’s so nice to get back here!!
Dear Friend Shari,
It is a masterpiece indeed.
Blessings.
Uma
It’s nice to hear from you Uma! Many thanks.
Envy!
It’s so nice to be back here!!
Wow wow,so complicated yet so simply done. Love it.
Shari–I am right there with everyone else who has marveled at this amazingly complicated scene–it is beautiful! I would not have known where to begin. Fantastic!
This is such a lovely painting! The greys in the distance are a good foil for the complex shapes in the foreground, and the reds and greens on either side of the painting just pull in the eye. Do you plot such things – so effective and interesting without overwhelming.
This is beautiful, so full of detail.
Fantastic. Gorgeous work 🙂
Wow, this is incredible!
How long did this take you? I just freeze when I see a complex scene🤦♀️
Have fun at the workshop!
This is a masterclass in setting lights against darks. My favorite thing is the post that goes from red at the top to white near the bottom. I think I can decipher your steps from having gone through your course on complex scenes with boats. This is inspiring!
This is just brimming with eye candy!
What a wonderful painting….I want to be there
Thanks so much Marilyn!