Worth the drive
Posted: July 16, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: boat painting, boats, Pointe Claire, Pointe Claire Yacht Club, watercolour 20 CommentsEven though I now live a little further away from the boat club in Pointe Claire, it’s still worth the drive to sit under a willow tree and paint the masts and the sail covers at the boat club. Even on a very humid day.
I love the complexity of this scene, and of boats in general, and I’ve missed painting them. For a composition like this, after my initial pencil drawing, I start by painting the bigger shapes first: sky and water. And then, because all the colourful darks of the sail covers are somewhat connected, I paint those next. That sets up the light/dark contrasts. My third section is to paint the boat hulls and reflections with a variety of middle values. And the last — but probably the longest part of this — is to get lost in the details. First the masts, and then the shapes in between the sail covers. I use an inlaid liner for those small details, starting with dark paint and finishing with Titanium White watercolour.
Shari, I always admire your paintings at the marina. You make it look so simple but I’ve tried it before and got “lost” in connecting masts to boats. Thanks for sharing!
De, I’m glad you like it!!
Wow!
I like hearing how you deal with the complexity of the scene. I took many photos of boats in Lunenburg last week (also worth the drive 🙂 . This will help me figure out how to start painting them. Thanks!
Lucky you to be in Lunenburg. So beautiful there!!
I can’t tell you enough, on how great this is!!!
I LOVE it! And wish I was there by the harbor painting with you 😉
I wish you were there too but I will take you there next year. We’ll have to make sure you arrive after the boats go in the water.
wonderful!
Beth, thanks!
I think I’d get seasick trying to keep this all straight-I salute your superiority of this subject matter. Fabulous, as always!
Denise, I was on solid ground so no seasickness for me, although I did get a bit lost in the sail covers.
This is beautiful, Shari. I appreciate the step-by-step instructions because just looking at this, I would get lost. It is lovely.
Lois, I’m glad you found it useful!
I love it Shari
Ralph, many thanks!
Wow, so much compressed energy in this seemingly static vista! It really captures that early morning summer day feeling of joyous freedom and possibility. All of a sudden I’m a school kid on summer vacation!
Gigi, what a nice comment to read. The day did have that kind of energy, and while I was painting the kids who were learning how to sail came out on their small boats. It was exactly as you describe.
Gorgeous!
Bev, so nice to hear from you. Thank you!!
Thanks for describing your order of painting. I can’t seem to figure it out for myself.
I’m glad it was helpful Laura Kate!