Lobster Boat And Fish Shacks

 I'm looking through all my sketch books and using them as the starting point for paintings...  trying out some new approaches to handling oil paint.  I'm in this place where I like sketches more than "finished" paintings... will this lead to "looser" paintings ? Which of course require more thought...We will see where this goes...

Looking west across the cove in Cape Porpoise you can see a street with these old fish shacks. I parked my car on the edge of the clam flats, sat down on the rocks, opened my sketch book and did a bunch of quick sketches. 

6x8  Cool Gray marker & watercolor on Aquarelle 90 lb 

Loaded with Traps

The fishermen are hauling their traps out or putting them in according to season. Now as winter is heading our way I see more of this activity. This boat was ready to lay the traps out. 

Cape Porpoise 8x10 watercolor, Rives BFK 

PLEIN AIR IN MAINE, VERMONT &  NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Lobster Boat in Cape Porpoise, ME

I have sketch books I travel around with.  When I'm setting up to paint  I first  do a bunch of sketches.  This helps me make a decision on what subject & design to paint. I parked my car in a tiny pull-off on the way to the harbor where the clam diggers and kayakers park. 

The view across from me to the west was the deep water channel where the lobster boats are moored. Its a great place to see sunsets on the water. This sketch was late in the day. 6x8  Gray marker &  watercolor on Fabriano aquarelle.

Lobster Boats

When I 'm in the harbor in the summer there are often a ton of boats around.  Last spring I decided to just do some portraits of them and try to do a "color thing" not a "view thing" with the painting. So I set some rules for myself on what colors I was featuring and how much I could use... really interesting what happens.  I think this type of exercise makes me stretch my thinking...

Here's one from that series of portraits... Late Morning LIght, 8x10 oil on canvas panel