tug boats
Between cloud and sun, the tug boats’ surrounding color kept changing from gray to blue. Blue color however did not work well with this painting. Lighter shade of green worked better to complement red and yellow. I borrowed darker shade of blue from a near by boat ‘Mistress’ and added in a few selected places including the lines of the door on a yellow/red tug boat. After a few hours of working today, the painting looks complete.
The shape and the color of the boat looked abstract from certain angle. Although, I have always avoided using cerulean or turquoise blue, with a big dark blue shape and a line of red next to it, it looked appealing. I tried to keep the abstraction of the shapes that drew me to this composition. This has been a good start for a beginning of new year.
Mayflower II, 9.5″ x 12″
In March 2013, a ship was being repaired in Fairhaven. It looked elegant and out of this world; I had an urge to paint it. Later found out that the ship is the Mayflower II, a full size replica of Mayflower. Many hours from May to July was spend working on this painting, until Mayflower II was taken back to Plymouth in the end of July. Finally, I revisited the painting today and added some finishing touches to complete it.
I went back to the ship yard today and I was disappointed to see that Chief & Clyde had already left. Fortunately, the painting already has most of the ship’s structure and there are few other similar ships in the yard for references. I focused on the surrounding of the boats. The house was repainted with different shades of yellow couple of times before settling on the darker shade of green. The placement of the window is still not ideal, it has been moved a few times. I will come back again with fresher eyes to add finishing touches.
Chief & Clyde and Dictator, these are the names of the two boats I am currently painting in a ship yard. The ship yard is large. There are all kinds of ships: sail boats, fishing boats and commercial yachts. When the boat is on land, the view is magnificent. You see the other half of the boat that is usually in the water.
I spent a few hours on Saturday drawing the two boats. I love to draw. I usually spend a few hours drawing and getting the composition right. Once I start painting, the drawing underneath disappears. However, I am already familiar with all the details from the drawing process.
Today I spent a few hours in the morning adding the first layer of colors. It was a good start. I used to finish a plein air painting in one day, yet for the last two years it is taking me longer. I used to paint what is in front of me. Now I am spending a lot more time editing and thinking. This process is a lot more enjoyable.