Welcome to Moss Landing on the Californian coast, a charming boatyard filled with beautiful vessels. Today, we're focusing on an old fishing boat in for repairs, a scene that offers a rewarding challenge for any painter. In this chapter, I'll guide you through capturing the essence of this classic boat scene using broad, gestural brushwork. We'll start by painting big, beautiful shapes and learn how to adjust the colors within them. Then, we'll add those crisp finishing details that bring the whole composition to life. One of the key techniques we'll explore is creating a splashy, impressionistic foreground that draws the viewer's eye into the intricate details of the boat. This approach not only enhances your painting's depth but also adds a dynamic quality to the scene. Whether you follow my steps closely or use the resource photos to create something uniquely yours, this lesson will enrich your painting skills and deepen your appreciation for the art of capturing maritime beauty.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Boat Repairs" 14 x 14" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.
Step 5Painting Blue-Grey Tones
Mix Blue-Grey Tones
Start with a base of blue and white, adding a touch of red and yellow ochre. Aim for a mid-value blue-grey. Use walnut oil to help block in the big shapes on the side of the boat.
Block in Big Shapes
Extend the brush strokes past the boat's edge. This allows flexibility to paint back into it and adjust edges later. Leave some areas empty to add warmer, lighter colors where reflected light will be placed.
Add Warmth and Reflected Light
Warm up the blue-grey by mixing in a little yellow ochre and white. Keep the value similar, only a half step different. Use bright yellow under areas where light bounces off the white deck to add character.
Focus on Big Shapes
Concentrate on painting big shapes rather than details. This approach allows for a more artistic and less fussy painting process. Add details later with a calligraphic style.
Paint Similar Colors
Use the same color on other parts of the painting, like a small boat nearby, to save time. Look for similar colors in your painting to apply while the paint is on your brush.
Pro tipExtend brush strokes past the boat's edge to allow flexibility in defining edges later.
Embark on your painting journey by preparing your materials and setting the stage for a vibrant composition. Begin by mixing your white paint to the right consistency, ensuring it flows smoothly across your canvas. Establish the foundational shapes with light, confident strokes, setting the framework for your scene. As you progress, focus on the interplay of light and shadow, using rich, dark tones to define the hull of the boat and subtle reflected lights to add depth and dimension.
As your painting evolves, pay attention to the harmony of colors and the balance of shapes. Use a variety of brush techniques to create texture and interest, from the roughness of the boat's surface to the soft, receding edges of the distant land. Incorporate mid-value tones to build form and add character, ensuring each element contributes to the overall composition.
In the final stages, refine your painting with precise details and highlights that bring it to life. Use a palette knife for crisp lines and a rigour brush for elegant details, enhancing the realism and narrative of your scene. Add figures and seagulls to inject movement and vitality, ensuring your painting tells a compelling story. Remember, each stroke is an opportunity to express your artistic vision and bring your scene to life.
Points to remember
Add more oil to your white paint for better pliability.
Draw big shapes lightly with pencil or charcoal.
Thin paint with Gamsol for smooth application.
Use walnut alkyde medium to maintain paint thickness.
Extend brush strokes past edges for flexibility.
Soften background edges to enhance foreground focus.
