We went to the Curtis Island Lighthouse today and had a much calmer day than yesterday. The temperature was mid 70’s and the skies were clear. I did 2 demonstrations on in opaque watercolor and 1 transparent. I am not sure I like either one but you can judge that for yourself. I try not to spend too long on the demos; I want to give my students time to paint. The painting with the rocks and Cormorants, was based on the idea of one big dark shape against a lighter middle value. I wanted the main shape to be interesting and include multiple pieces of information in one value mass.
12×16 watercolor on 300lb arches block
12 x 16 opaque watercolor on 140lb arches block
Cormorants
Standing on the rocks
Like crosses on Golgotha
They fight for his clothes
Sirens Song
Cutting through the seas
Golden sails float like apparitions
Sirens’ shrill song beguiles
Sailors to madness
Onto death shoals
Keel crushed on the lee shore
Left savagely splintered
Poseidon claims his prize
Beautiful watercolors !! How good is opaque watercolor!