Tugboats Re-visited ... a Watercolor Painting Process

I masked the tugs, and then covered the light areas with old watercolor paper and masking tape. Then I spattered and spayed greens across the top to indicate trees. There was a light blue/grey wash over all except the tugs.

This was the result. Spattering gave a much more natural look to the trees.

I painted a w/w grey/blue wash over the top again. It softened some of the green of the trees, and I quite liked the effect. Then I used a darker grey/green to give the feel of fog below the trees.

I did two separate w/w washes of green for the water.

 ... and then wet all the water and did it again. I think it may need a few washes.
The colors I am using so far are indanthrone blue, aureolin, quin. rose and alizarin crimson.

The last version of the tugboats was good, but didn't really say what I wanted. I was painting it for my saint of a landlady, and she agreed. Also, she preferred green, so off I went ...
I changed the format to "portrait", to enhance the grandeur of the forest, re-sketched one of the tugs, and started. I must admit, I really like the green better than the blue, but that's just a personal preference. And I find the vertical format gives the painting more of an imposing presence.

Thank you all so much for dropping by! Your comments are always welcome.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ... and AHOY, Welcome Aboard the Seaspan Pat

Here she is so far, the "Seaspan Pat". Seaspan is the company that runs a lot of the tugs in B.C. , so I thought it an appropriate name for a painting of tugs cruising the fog along the B.C. coast. And Pat is my friend's name. We both fell in love with a seascape painting last summer, and I promised to do one for her. I THINK I've finished the background and the foreground water, but I will reserve the right to touch up. :) I'll just have to see what it looks like after the tugs are finished.

This is my sister's card finished. She is coming out for a visit today, so I can give it to her then.

Well, all the seasonal madness [my view of this time of year] is over, and we all can start afresh in this New Year. For some reason, I feel quite hopeful and excited about the coming year. Maybe it was the riding lesson I had yesterday, nudging Bruno out of his state of mental and physical inactivity. Horses tend to get a bit lazy and inattentive when not exercised regularly and properly. I got the sense he was telling me "Kath, why don't we just stand around here, and you feed me lots of carrots and apples." Ummm ... NO!
Anyway, I thought I would quickly post this before heading down to the barn to play with the lad.
I wish you all the very best this coming year - a year of Joy and Peace and Creativity!!!

Back to Painting What I LOVE

FUN in the snow

All the family dogs had a good Christmas, too

Sketch I am getting ready for one of my sister's birthday - Denise, the Boxer lover
Her birthday is Dec. 30.

First washes of a new painting I have started - tug boats on the foggy B.C. coast.
Started with some cobalt blue, and w/w washes of grey. 

After several more washes, I finally have the mask off, and have started the tugs.

Well, it's been a month of changes - all good. My winter/pre-Christmas gloom lifted around mid-December. I swear I notice the days getting longer already, and I am noticing buds opening!!! I decided to leave the cooperative gallery. I had initially thought to give the enterprise six months, till Christmas. Time came up, and I was not happy there [for several reasons]. It must be the right decision for me because I feel great! I entered three paintings in one of the Federation of Canadian Artists juried shows, and all three were accepted. And I had a wonderful Christmas Day with my family.
It is teeming rain today - back to normal Vancouver winter weather, and even that is welcome. I'll pack up Twilight [the dog I am sitting for a friend] and head into Vancouver to pick up my things from the gallery, and do some family visiting.

Thank you for dropping by!