Life by the River: Misty Morning Sketch of the White Boat
Postcard No 9 Life by the river is full of misty mornings at this time of the year and coming back from our morning walk today i slipped across the road down to the river's edge and caught this scene of the white boat against the misty hills on the o…
Life by the river is full of misty mornings at this time of the year and coming back from our morning walk today i slipped across the road down to the river's edge and caught this scene of the white boat against the misty hills on the other side. the reflections were perfect although the sketch is not!
What I do like about this mini is my decision to place the boat high and leave all that space below it. The misty reflection area doesn't have a lot going on ... it's simple purpose is to create a resting place against the busy area of boat and trees.
Placing the boat against the dark trees and their reflections makes a strong value contrast and the touch of orange in the buoy adds a warm focal point.
The composition hangs on a t design made up of the vertical boat and the horizontal treeline and both these elements sit on the one third lines of the format.
Although the boat is pointing out of the painting which tends to lead the eye out I countered with the treeline creating a wedge shape leading back in again. Using leading lines to direct the eye around the painting is a really useful tool. I quite like that little bit of tension I've created by placing the boat on the left third line instead of on the right.
It was a quick sketch so I don't mind the sloppy painting ( that boat reflection is pretty ropey and I think I'll have to go back and fix it!) It does capture the moment, the feeling of the mist rising and a sunny day on the way and that's what I was after.
I don't always create a great sketch but I'm always pleased if I manage to pull off a good composition because I think that's a key part of creating art, whatever the subject. If the composition is strong I can revisit the scene and improve the other elements. If the composition is off I can't save it with brushmarks, colour or contrast.
As I'm getting into this Life by the River series of postcard size paintings I'm totally enjoying the freedom painting small brings. No pressure to create great art, not much time needed but as I reflect on the day's sketch I'm learning a lot!
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