Baltic Breeze

It's so exciting to open the very first ink from Diamine's Inkvent Calendar 2024!!  This is the best possible advent calendar for any artist! I get to open a little present each day right up to Christmas, and create tiny masterpieces with each one!  I dropped this ink into a wet sky abs allowed it to spread down naturally.  The chroma that resulted was so lovely!  I then penned in the foreground with a glass dip pen, using a wet brush to move the ink a little.  I meant to try a little bleach, too, but forgot until just now.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow's ink will be!  Painting number 5206 in 5206 days. 

Sailboat Sunset

 

Ink, watercolor and a grounded sailboat feels like the beginning of a story as I paint.  This boat stands all alone off the coast north of Clearwater, Florida. I wonder where it's owners are. Are they searching for this vessel, afraid it has been swept out to the open water?  Or, are they missing as well?  A mystery unfolds as I paint, and the sun meets the horizon, soon to cloak the whole scene in darkness. So many stories, so little time to paint them all.  Painting number 5012 in 5012 days. 

Sunset Sailboat

 

Finding a sailboat anchored along the coast, with the sun setting behind it?  Priceless!!  It's fun to explore that sunset color with ink and watercolor - and pushing a bit to the violet in the very dark shadows.  I find watercolor more challenging than oil for sunsets - which means I need to do more of them!  I love going to my oils for that quick dash of fleeting light, so creamy and predictable they are.  Painting number 3307 in 3307 days. 

Docked

 

I've got an art show coming up in August in Osage Beach, Missouri, and I am getting a few things ready for my booth space.  A first time plein air event - The Best Dam Plein Air Event - will celebrate the 90th year of Bagnell Dam.  Along with the various venues, participating artists are offered booth space for paintings other than the work from the event. So, in keeping with the lake theme, I am gathering previous work and even painting from some of my reference pics, to have a few additional things to offer.  I don't normally do "shows" other than art galleries or plein air sale days, so this will be fun to see how it goes!  And, it is an opportunity for me to paint boats again - since I am not going to Door County this year.  Painting number 3104 in 3104 days. 

Weatherby Lake Inked

I had already painted three paintings and two ink drawings, and still, I gazed longingly at this boat.  the last artist on site, I left my easel up and ready, but truly I was so tired.  The ink was calling, "Choose me!  Choose me!"  I walked back to the car and grabbed my ink pen, brush and paper.  I put pen to paper and let the ink do it's magic.  Like any old friend, the drawing soothed and energized me - I love the process!  Once finished, I framed it, changed and joined to party beginning around me!  What a great painting day!  Painting number 1713 in 1713 days.

Bold Sunset Sailing

Feeling bold today, the palette knife was calling my name.  I had sold a sailboat painting last week, and the memories of so many other seascapes came flooding back.  Using personal photos on my phone, I started this demo in class today to assist a student through the process.  This is painted entirely with my Princeton Catalyst, which I normally prefer to any metal knife.  The handle was too long to fit in my pocket box, so I took the head off the handle, holding it from the ferrel end!   It slid right off, and I can stick it right back on for normal use!   It is super fun to get chunky with the paint, while using the photo as a "jumping off point" for my painting.  It gives me some guidance, as I let the whims of the paint run wild.  Sometimes, I just have to run free!  Painting number 1482 in 1482 days.

Sailing from Ephraim

This sailboat was picturesque as it sailed from the Ephraim harbor.  With the marina visible in the distance, this scene was a little slice of everyday life along this shore.  This place is one of my favorite towns along the coast in Door County.  It is full of nostalgic buildings dotting the coastline like jewels in a crown.  What a beautiful place to paint!  This painting makes 1308 in 1308 days :)

Orange Sail Cover

In the afternoon, this sailboat shined in the harbor.  It was one of three that I had tentatively chosen for the morning's quick paint.  By morning, the light was too different, and the bloom was off the rose, so it was not my choice for the quick paint at Sister Bay.  And yet, I had to paint it.  I couldn't get it out of my mind.  So, here it is, the 1305th painting in 1305 days.

"Nimble" at Sister Bay

This morning's quick paint was held at Sister Bay.  I was instantly grabbed by this wonderful, old sailboat - and I had to paint it.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny with gentle breezes.  I love getting to paint these sailboats - especially since I never get to see them.   We don't see too many sailboats in Missouri!   Painting number 1304 in 1304 days!

Docked at Sister Bay

Docked at Sister Bay
Oil on panel, 11x14

Sister Bay, and this harbor, was the scene for today's workshop.  Teddy and I each worked on separate boats, with separate focus, in front of the students.  They could look from one to the other, and watch our progress as we talked through our steps.  It was a quick paint, as the rain was threatening - and started before the last strokes were down.  It is a little like tag-teaming between us, as we paint.  So fun!  This painting makes the 1301st in 1301 days :)

Morning at Moonlight Bay

After watching the sunrise at Gordon Lodge, we headed over to Moonlight Bay for the morning workshop.  The temperature soon heated up, and the girls were dropping like flies!  As they headed back to the Red Shed, I finished my painting.  We were able to finish the class later, in the comfort of the shade!  This painting is the 1300th in 1300 days!! Wowza!

Sunrise Sailboat - palette knife

Sunrise Sailboat - palette knife
Oil on wood, 6x6

Well, I guess I should really begin by admitting that I didn’t really use a palette knife, I used a Princeton Catalyst, #6 in the 15mm size.  I LOVE how the flexible head pushed the paint into the texture of the wood panel!  This is one of those panels I primed, but ended up with too heavy a texture for the portrait work I intended them for.  I used only the catalyst for this seascape, and it was fun!  It does work differently than the normal knife, more fluid in it’s movement across the surface.  I can’t wait to experiment more with this tool and more like it!  Painting number 1135 in 1135 days.

Out to Sail

Out to Sail
Oil on wood panel, 11x14
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
purchase here

An early painting already finished at Cave Point, Egg Harbor was next on the agenda.  After scouting out the town, I was drawn down to the marina.  There were two sailboats that really caught my attention, and the first one soon departed.  With only one tiny spot in the shade from which to paint, I set up my easel and got started.  The wind blew right in to me from Lake Michigan, strong at times - which really dries my eyes out as I paint.  Sometimes, I even feel like they are wind burned!  The sun and heat were also strong, but my dappled shade helped.  The panel I used for this one had a molding paste texture on it, which gives it more of an impasto feel.  I find that sailboats are a very appealing subject up here on Lake Michigan!  Painting number 943 in as many days.

on location

Palette Knife Sailing

Palette Knife Sailing
Oil on wood panel, palette knife, 4x6
purchase here

Yesterday’s watercolor left me want to apply thick, juicy oils with a palette knife!  So, today, that is exactly where I head!  Working small, as I am squeezing in this painting time between yard work and a bridal shower for my niece, I start on a 4x6 panel.  First applying a thin layer of color with my knife, I then skim that surface with thicker paint.  I really like the way the colors mixed in the sky with the knife - I am going to have to try more of this!  New on the palette today - Gamblin's radiant turquoise.  It is the very opaque light turquoise paint that is lightly stroked into the sky and water reflections.  For that very sunlit yellow color - I have used Gamblin's radiant yellow as well as lemon cad yellow.  These little pops of color add sparkle to the sunset.  It is SO fun to completely paint this using the knife - it is a great exercise for improving palette knife skills! There is so much to how pulling the knife in different ways will make different marks on the panel. I think perhaps the trickiest parts were pulling the paint on either side of the sails, and the sails themselves. I love coming back to the palette knife in this way. Maybe I'll continue in this strain for a few days....This is painting number 910 in 910 days.

Sailing Serenade

Sailing Serenade
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

After a day full of the gym, painting class, hours of yard work, and relaxing on the balcony with a hard lemonade - I come to my easel late!  Choosing a seascape with some of my photo reference, I am painting small with brush and palette knife.  I begin by negatively painting the sky, then I drop in the cloud colors.  Gently mingling between the two with a soft sable brush, I then go in with the palette knife for some thick, juicy paint.  I treat the water in a similar fashion by painting in first with the brush, and then laying thick color on with the edge of my knife, creating a little wave action with the stroke.  This is painting number 805 in 805 days :)

Sailing Sister Bay

Sailing Sister Bay
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
purchase here

This large, gorgeous sailboat was sailing in Sister Bay, Wisconsin when I was last there for the Door County Plein Air event.  The skies were putting on a show of their own, with glorious color dipping in and out of the clouds.  Catching that colorplay on sky and water is a matter of brushing one color right up to the other, without crossing the line with the brush and "muddying" up those oils.  I then pulled the palette knife across the top with thick, juicy strokes here and there to add to the depth. I sure wish it was warm sailing weather right now! This painting is number 789 in as many days.

Sunrise Glory on the Lake

Sunrise Glory on the Lake
Oil on panel, 7x5
bid on auction here

It is always an adventure to find a painting window on a Monday! This morning I squeezed it in between a kinesis class and teaching a painting class!  This rustic beach scene is from my Door County reference photos, as is the sailboat.  There were always boats near the water - and they are such a wonderful, peaceful subject in a painting.  On this painting, I have used a quite a bit of palette knife work - especially on the rough beach.  I am again playing with my colors a bit, capturing a muted sunrise.  After yesterday's very loud colors, I wanted to tone it down a bit!  This painting is number 786 in 786 days.

Sailing the Ocean Blue

Sailing the Ocean Blue
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
purchase here

Some days, I pick up my brushes and just feel like painting a certain subject.  Today, I was longing for warm seas and vintage sailing.  I have added some grumbacher's greenish umber for the depth in the ocean, as well as my new fav Rembrandt's ultramarine blue deep.  I've used loose strokes to bump up the movement in sky and water, with choppy highlight strokes to lift the waves.  The primed pale yellow of the panel pops through, adding warmth to the cool blues and greens.  It is important to ground water vessels with a dark shadow crease at the base of the ship.  Without it, the boat will seem to be pasted onto the water, instead of sitting in it.  Painting number 781 in 781 days.

All Sail and No Anchor

All Sail and No Anchor
Oil on canvas panel, 7x5
original sold - print available here

Today finds me switching gears and looking towards the open water for my subject matter.  I have only painted a sprinkling of boat/ship seascapes, but they always call to me.  There is something very special about being on the open water, sailing fast and quiet with the wind in your hair.  This feeling of freedom is alluring, and calls to be painted.  This is the smallest seascape I have done - only 7x5 inches.  I like how the tooth of the canvas captures spots of paint in the water - like the sparkle on the surface.  This is painting number 757 in 757 days and Day 26 in the 30 Day Painting Challenge :)

Deep Sea Sailing

Deep Sea Sailing
Oil on panel, 14x11

I have only just begun to research these beautiful vessels.  These tall ships are striking on any body of water - and the reflections rippling off the surface are magical.  The long, lean lines of this ship are gorgeous, and the mystery of the sea is timeless.  Learning the sails and lines are very much like learning the architecture of a building.  I simply start with the largest mass, in this case the body of the ship, and then moved to the masts.  I started at the front with the first line, then the first sail, second, and so forth in a methodical way.  This was an adventure to paint - and I can't wait to paint the next!  Painting number 687 in 687 days.