Sunday 13 November 2016

#144 'Margate Harbour' 8x10"


This is the one I started last weekend in Margate with artist Michael. 
We trooped across mud and seaweed sinking and squelching. We were quite a distance from the slipway. Setting up our gear right next to the fishing boats and used them as tables. Standing painting my feet were sinking deeper and deeper into the mud, I had to give a good yank to get them out again! 
The tide suddenly was there and we had to make a dash for it, we'd only done about 30 minutes. 

I finished the painting today, not easy as I wanted to keep the essence of the light and loose feel but to put enough in to make it looked finished and pleasing.
I took a photo with my phone on the day but the strong low light didn't allow for any detail. Which is good in one way not to get bogged down with it but another was difficult to see what was going on. I tired not to 'explain' everything with my paintbrush but to suggest some areas too. 
I also ended moving the white boat on the left as in life it was squashed up against the boat in the middle. Usually I don't mess around with what is actually there but on this occasion the compsition looked awkward, now it's more balanced.
This painting is different to how I'd tackle it usually and I'm pleased with the result.

4 comments:

  1. Another quality painting! You have managed the expanse of mud flat and harbour wall so well and the boats could have been placed for you!

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  2. Great light and subtle tonal changes look just right.

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  3. Revisiting the page, and reading the blurb....you moved the white boat!
    Absolutely fine!

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  4. I can smell the seaweed! You have made an interesting composition and conveyed the subtle colours of the scene.

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