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The Owl and (Maybe) the Pussycat

3/4/2021

4 Comments

 
Picture
The Owl (and Maybe) the Pussycat 10"x10" oil on canvas panel
Last time we visited the town of Ilseboro on Little Cranberry Island I got a good photo of this lovely rowboat with a nice lobster boat behind her. The rowboat is quite the classic. When I posted the finished painting on Instagram, I learned that she's a Jarvis Newman design built by the Newman  and Gray Boatyard on Great Cranberry Island, just across the passage. It's always a treat to find out these details. Sometimes, I change the color of boats when I paint them, but these two looked interesting as they were. And I also sometimes change the boat names, as I did here.

Picture
My value underpainting with revised drawing
I frequently start a complex painting with a value underpainting. That's a monochrome painting where the shapes have different levels of light or dark, which we painters call values. Having the value shapes rather than a simple drawing makes it easier to apply the colors with the correct values. In this case, I put the piece aside for a while, and when I came back to it, I decided the shape of the rowboat wasn't quite right, and adjusted it with the blue painted lines.

A video showing how I paint from a black and white photo.
Painting from a black and white rather than color photo is another approach that helps me to get the value of each color right. I generally start with the darkest colors and the most complicated shapes in the middle of the painting, in this case, the boats and the reflection, and work my way outwards.

Picture
Testing the values in color of the water and sky
Once I have the boats and reflection done, I start on the water, testing the values in the nearest and farthest water, and begin filling in the darkest colors first. In this case, I also put in the farthest land to make sure the value was right against the boat, and tested some color in the sky.

Having decided to name the rowboat Owl, it was pretty clear that the lobster boat will become the Pussycat. I'll wait until it's dry before lightly painting the name.

4 Comments
Leslie Goldman
3/4/2021 06:36:14 pm

Bobbi, I use this technique a lot and I agree it’s a great way to make sure you have the value structure correct. I think this is the most important part of the process. You illustrate it beautifully. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Bobbi link
3/12/2021 07:01:10 am

Thank you, Leslie, it's made a lot of difference for me, and my students tell me that it helps them too. A big win.

Reply
Pam Baumeister link
3/11/2021 03:45:47 pm

This is such a great composition and I love the name. It made me smile. The process of getting the values right is one I use now as well (thanks to you)...and it never fails! Great work, Bobbi.

Reply
Bobbi link
3/12/2021 07:02:43 am

Thank you, Pam! I know it's more work in watercolor, but it's worth the effort. I'm so glad I could help.

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    Bobbi - Painter. Sketcher. Teacher. Boat and Dog Lover.

    2009-2019 blogposts are located HERE

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  • Home
  • Shop
    • Available Paintings
    • Selected Favorites
    • Note Cards
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    • Your Own Custom Painting
  • Blog
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  • Classes
    • Classes Login
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    • What's It Like to Study With Bobbi
    • Materials Lists
  • Resources
    • Beginning Painting Tips
    • Managing Multiple Projects
    • Framing
    • Your First Plein Air
    • Notes - Confident Drawing
    • Videos
  • About Bobbi
  • Contact