Fisherman’s friend
Posted: July 30, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: boat painting, Chania, Crete, Greece, plein air painting 13 CommentsAs much as I try to complete a painting on site, it’s not always possible. Here’s one from our trip to Crete in the spring. I started this on location in April but was interrupted when a sponge seller on another boat docked in front of me. Apparently I was in his spot, but he politely waited while I packed up my gear.
Before the sponge boat pulled in, I was happily painting this scene of a fisherman untangling his nets and chatting with a friend. I witnessed this often in the morning in Chania. Usually two fisherman in side-by-side boats, having coffee, and working on their nets. I’m not sure if they were just coming in or on their way out but I suspect it was the former. This time the conversation was between the friend on the pier and the fisherman just below. In a scene like this I always try to draw the figures first in case they move away. The boats are likely to stay there longer so I draw them second.
As I mentioned, I always prefer to finish the painting on site but this time it wasn’t possible. I brought the watercolour home and it sat on my drawing table for months. It was really only missing details of nets, rigging and some waves in the water, so I added those in this week. Hopefully it still has the freshness of a scene painted in the early morning in one of my favourite places in Greece.
I’ve really enjoyed your paintings of Chania! Great memories of our visit @10 years ago.
Looks fresh to me! Seems like a rather overcast day, but the bright colors work really well with the greys. I like the action of the people, gulls, and the water reflections of the boats.
It looks fresh to me! The blues in this painting say ‘Greece’ to me, and I’ve never been there!
Thanks Maureen.
very nice!
Thank you!
Wow, Shari, you have really captured the moment…the rippling waves, the sunshine on the pier, the morning sky…Your composition pulls me right in!
Karen, this is so nice to read. Thanks so much.
Good story explaining a great picture!
Denise, thank you so much!!
Love the details you always manage to include!
Adele, thank you!
Wonderful! Your story brings the painting to life. Isn’t it a good idea to snap a photo at the beginning in case something like this happens?