Wednesday 27 February 2013

Watching the Sun Go Down




























A watercolour sketch from my sketchbook.  This one is a 'try-out' for a bigger painting of a seascape, to be included in a series of oil paintings about the sea.   (The first two are of pebbles, sand and surf)

In my sketches and photos of the actual site there are two men side by side looking out over the bay, I can't decide if I like this old man sitting alone on his crate or not.  Perhaps he needs his friend with him?

19 comments:

Dan Kent said...

Well I sure like him alone! Seems serene, contemplative. Beautiful sketch!

Unknown said...

Love how your washes mixed together on his jacket.

Unknown said...

Hello Cathy,
I'm with Dan on this one. He looks like he could be longing to be out there, sailing.
Beautiful sketch/drawing/painting.
Stew. stewcrowther.wordpress.com _________________________

Sue Clinker said...

I think he works well alone Cathy.

I keep taking photos like this of the 'seniors' in the old town at Corralejo (Fuerteventura, where we have a holiday home).

So far I haven't managed to capture the 'right' one that I want to portray ...so frustrating

Look forward to seeing how this one ends up

Sarah Melling said...

This is beautiful. I'm amazed at how beautifully his head is rendered in a quick sketch...his ear, the sunlight on the back of his head...lovely.

debra morris said...

Lovely, what kind of sketchbook do you use for watercolour?

Jane said...

Yes, I agree with those who think he is very appealing gazing contemplatively by himself. I love the textures in his jacket, and the light and stillness of the painting. Beautiful.

Unknown said...

He looks contemplative - good alone.

Cathy Holtom said...

Thanks for feedback, now I'm sure leaving his friend at home is the right thing to do!
Debra - I use a moleskine watercolour sketch book but I have a little Venezia sketchbook too that has lovely quality paper.

martinepittet said...

I like this man as he is , on his own, contemplating the sea or daydreaming.. Beautiful values on the jacket !
BTW: How does the Venezzia sketchbook react to water: doesn't buckle too much ? The only disadvantage is that it doesn't lay flat ...

Unknown said...

As he is in the painting is quiet and it draws the viewer to look past his shoulder and imagine what he is seeing welcoming them into the scene to absorb more details. If someone else were there the imagined thought would be that they are talking and to be polite turn away decreasing viewing into the painting.

Laura said...

I just popped in to take a peek at your website Cathy. It is fabulous and so is the portfolio of paintings you have created.

Sandra said...

Your drawing says so much! He needs time to ponder--alone.

Vandy said...

He's fabulous just as he is, Cathy. I can just picture him gazing out to sea peacefully.

Introverted Art said...

painfully beautiful

EMME said...

Your old guy reminded me of my old guy--it must be the cap! But yours is so expressive in a few strokes and beautifully blended colors.
http://theslipcover.blogspot.com/2012/01/113-draw-or-paint-fence.html

Alex said...

This 'try out' looks more like a 'must-have' to me :)
Love the soft blue sky and the way you capture his posture.

Lucia B. said...

Lovely sketch, Cathy, I do like your subject as it is! I like the shadows on the jacket, and the light background that suggests the sea and its light without directly showing it.

K said...

I like him sitting alone too, for the quiet, contemplative look about him. Love how the colors blend in his coat and his skintone.