Motif #1 and #2
Posted: July 21, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cape ann, motif #1, rockport, travel sketching 18 CommentsGo ahead and type “Motif #1 painting” in your search engine. You’ll find hundreds of paintings and sketches of this iconic red Rockport fishing shack. I’ve painted it many times myself, from different viewpoints. Last week, during my warm-up sketching days before my workshops at Slow River Studio in Topsfield, I sketched it from the left side — an angle that was new to me. I drew first with my Lamy pen that’s filled with water-soluble copper ink and then added some light washes on top. This ink dissolves almost completely into the watercolour but if you’re painting a red building, it sort of works in your favour by melting into the red/brown washes.
Later in the week, it was also the subject of one of my workshop demos, although this time we sketched it from the front. If you are sitting on the end of the town wharf, the morning light on the building is ideal. As for what red to choose for this, I used a combination of Alizarin Crimson and Burnt Sienna, adding a little Violet to the mix for the shadows. The actual paint on the building is a flat reddish brown, more like Indian Red, but I don’t have that on my palette (too opaque!) so this was my solution.
Wonderful. Please specify the copper ink details. Thanks!
Hi Elly, It’s Ancient Copper ink from Diamine. It’s really wonderful!
….And what a great workshop it was! Another fabulous experience learning so much from you.
Denise, you did some great sketches in the workshop. It’s always such a pleasure to have you in the group!
Cape Ann is such a great place for sketching. I haven’t been up there in a long time. I love how the copper disappears but still is showing in some places defining the subject. Both of these are great!!
Thanks Joan!
Thank you for introducing me/us to Motif#1. Interesting historical sight!
It really is. A little cliché but when you are there you have to paint it.
Beautiful! A good idea to mix burnt sienna with alizarin crimson to create Indian red! I also mix phtalo green and pyrrol scarlet (or another warm red) to create it.
Frieda, those sound like good mixes too. I use red and green to make black!
Wow, Shari, both beautifully done. I will definitely need to paint this again. Love how the ink blends in. Thanks for sharing. Carol
It’s so nice to hear from you, Carol. Yes, you need to paint Motif again for sure!! It’s not going anywhere.
I think you nailed the colour perfectly and the water line!
Thanks so much Maureen!
I love getting your newsletters. Full of information and your beautiful artwork!
I look forward to the next one. Thank you!
Thanks so much Susie!
Gorgeous sketches! Your washes are so clean and skillfully placed. They are good enough to eat!😊
Beautiful.pieces, such a great atmosphere in them