How I Painted Boats at Wynnum

(My “On the Easel” posts offer you a behind-the-scenes take a look at what I’m engaged on, what went nicely, what went unsuitable, and issues I study.)

Let’s check out how I painted Boats at Wynnum. I painted this towards the top of 2022 and gifted it to my dad and mom for Christmas.

Table of Contents

Reference Photograph

Beneath is the reference photograph I painted from. You’ll be able to obtain the full-size picture right here. Be happy to color it your self.

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Reference Photograph

(Want reference pictures to color from? Take a look at the Reference Photograph Library.)

What I Used

Oil on Ampersand gessoboard, 18 by 24 inches.
Essential colours: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cadmium purple, magenta, cadmium yellow, cadmium yellow mild, cadmium orange, viridian inexperienced, and titanium white.

Seek advice from my provides checklist for extra particulars.

Notes and Classes Discovered

I used a various vary of strategies: scratching, flicking, dabbing, damaged coloration, palette knife strokes, multicolored strokes, moist over dry, impasto texture, and scumbling. Discover how I used completely different strategies to convey completely different segments within the portray. The problem of utilizing such a various vary of strategies is getting all of them to work collectively in concord. Complexity for the sake of complexity is rarely factor.
This portray concerned appreciable problem-solving. The boat was notably difficult. I encountered a difficulty with the boat round midway by means of the portray course of. I initially thought the difficulty had one thing to do with the drawing, scale, and perspective of the boat. I spent ages adjusting the drawing right here, however nothing labored. I ultimately realized the issue had nothing to do with the boat however moderately the encompassing water. The water was too easy and flat, and for some purpose, that was messing with my notion of the boat. The answer was to color the water with damaged palette knife strokes. The important thing lesson right here is to be open-minded once you encounter an issue. Don’t tunnel imaginative and prescient one aspect as I did with the boat’s drawing, scale, and perspective. The very best answer just isn’t at all times the apparent one.
The colour theme is wealthy greens and blues in opposition to pale reds and oranges. Inexperienced and purple are complementary colours, as are blue and orange. By restraining the reds and oranges, I permit the cooler colours to dominate the portray.

Tip: When portray with complementary colours, take into account restraining one in order that the opposite might be dominant. Two complementary colours at full energy might be garish and jarring to have a look at.

Progress Photographs

Beneath are some progress photographs. The broad course of I adopted was:

Tough sketch with the help of a three-by-three grid.
Block within the main shapes and colours.
Refine and add extra intricate particulars.
Make certain all of the components work collectively as a complete, make ending touches, signal, and {photograph} the portray.

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 2

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 1

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 3

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 4

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 5

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 7

Dan Scott, Boats at Wynnum, 2022, Progress 9

Element Photographs

Wish to Study Extra?

You could be interested by my Portray Academy course. I’ll stroll you thru the time-tested fundamentals of portray. It’s excellent for absolute newbie to intermediate painters.