Watercolors Boothbay Harbor Maine

email posting

2012-01-22T09:15:00.000-08:00

Cold January

Trying new technique, pen&ink with watercolor. It's a nice contrast
with the thin black lines against the big, soft shapes of watercolor.
This is a test, trying to send a new post via e-mail. Sending email to
myself to see if it works on blog.

November

2011-11-13T06:30:00.001-08:00

It's time for square canvases show. Have to paint 4 of them by next week. You may paint in watercolor or whatever. Make sure your canvas is made for watercolor. It's not easy,especially designing for a square. Since canvas is mounted to a stretcher you have to paint the edges that wrap around the stretcher so you don't need to frame the painting, although sometimes the painting will look so much better in a frame.

Note, background included...and I cropped it in Picasa. Don't know why

It's Fall

2011-09-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

It's Fall and I'm trying to do some new paintings. I'm being influenced by that passionate Spanish watercolorist from Australia....Alvaro Castagnet. He is fearless and paints without really drawing, scribbling would describe his drawing technique. Then he paints right over the figures, whatever and concentrates on shapes, values, edges and design. I hope to learn a lot from his work as I want to loosen up. A good way to do this is to copy his paintings, not to worry about looking like the exact work but to learn the process of applying paint, wet in wet, color into color, etc. I can't wait to see if I retain any of the information I'm studying.

It's

2011-09-29T16:15:00.001-07:00

Video Tish House Sketch

2011-06-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

A small watercolor sketch, which I always make before starting a painting.

Here's a photo of the first frame of my video which shows how I start a painting. For some reason Blogger won't download the video, even though it was done on facebook. So look it up on facebook. I hope I can download it to other places.

Video Watercolor Sketch

2011-06-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

It's not easy to make a video, not for me anyhow. After a lot of aggravation I finally got one made and posted to facebook. I couldn't resist showing it here as this is what I do.

East Side Harbor Scene

2011-06-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

I missed text on this posting of harbor scene. This is a watercolor I entered in the first show at the Art Region in Boothbay Harbor. Lobster boats are usually white so I like a change in color from time to time, red, blue, etc.

2011-06-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

June 17, Art Region entry

2011-06-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

June is busting out all over with Lupines yet. Here's my watercolor entered in first show of season, a harbor scene with black lobster boat.

June7

2011-06-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

First Video 2

2011-05-14T15:41:00.001-07:00

Dories at Barrett Park

2011-05-06T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try acrylics for a change. This is a beautiful painting on a 6x8 panel. For some reason it didn't come out the way I cropped it. I'll keep trying to get photo right and paint more small acrylics. Also I'll make a video of the painting step by step.

Sketches Video

2011-03-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep up to date.

Will try to download a small video of sketches I intend to paint from.

Mar16 unavailable photos?

2011-03-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Blog Archive 2010 ( disappeared? )

Will try to import some paintings.

Mar16, New many wcs

2011-03-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

Found out how to download many watercolor photos and post to my blog. So if you just click blog archive (13 wcs) you will be able to see many of my watercolors ( click on image to enlarge for better view ). Using a computer is frustrating but when it works it's amazing.

Posting

2011-03-07T08:21:00.001-08:00

March 7, 2011

Sending email to blog, this is a test. William Spring

March 6, Spring

2011-03-06T09:18:00.000-08:00

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March 6, 2011

A change from landscapes, etc. Quick watercolor portraits on Arches, 11x14 or 12x16. Done in abour 30 minutes. Can also do from digital photo ( Canon Sure Shot, 10 mega pixels ). Can't wait till season begins as I really enjoy doing these portraits.

The Pianist

2011-02-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Taking a break from landscapes, etc. Went out for Thanksgiving Dinner and saw this pianist. I thought he would make a good painting.......so I took some photos with my terrific new Canon One Shot 10 Pixel camera. I've found I can make paintings from the photos I take with this camera unlike my other cameras. Anyhow I made a small color sketch which I always do before painting and then made a drawing on 300# Arches. I let myself go and painted loosely. It's difficult to loosen up when you are used to making all your work detailed.

Waiting for February to be over and the weather to improve, don't feel like working. I need a website and shall try to get one made. Looking forward to the Spring.

Sailing in Boothbay Harbor, Me.

2011-01-12T16:07:00.000-08:00

What a sight, beautiful sloops sailing together on a fine day.
Would love to paint more of these beautiful boats. Maybe I will.

Having trouble producing this blog. Note color changed in type, don't know why. Couldn't shift picture around

This blog is being done thru picasa and I can't select the type
I want.

Decided to change color, that worked. Want to draw on this blog, will figure it out eventually. Also can't produce small videos which would be more interesting.

Having a lot of snow, so will sign off now.

New Year

2011-01-08T11:59:00.001-08:00

Before I forget what I learned from John Howard Sanden I intend to do more portraits. I like to do quick watercolor sketches in a half hour from life on wc paper about 11x14. This portrait happens to be and acrylic on a 12x12 canvas. We have an annual show at the Art Region here in Boothbay Harbor, Me.

This painting was done from a photo. A good lesson was learned. After I finished painting it I noticed the face was too long, sometimes you don't notice what's wrong till it's too late. Although I hate to fix up a painting I forced myself to repaint the face, and I was glad I did so. Frank Reilly said don't fall in love with anything in your painting....if it's wrong, be ruthless and repaint it, and I'm glad I did.

Library Boy in November

2010-11-14T08:41:00.000-08:00

My latest effort painting the statue on the BH Library lawn with the Moose Cafe in the background.
I cropped the photo in Picasa but it doesn't download as such?
I had trouble getting into my blog and getting a new password. I don't know why these computers are so arbitrary. It's been rainy and cold up here and I'm having the roof rebuilt, hope it's finished before it snows. Meanwhile I'm switching over to acrylics for a change and painting on square canvases for Art Region show. All work is 12x12, without frame and sells for $100 [artists get less]. A terrific deal for someone who wants to own an original painting. Well I'd better get to work, spending too much time on everything except painting. What can you do/

October - Autumn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine

2010-10-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

Autumn in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The furnace came on so I guess Summer is over. It's a little chilly out now and I need a warmer coat. I'm trying to post multiple photos and I probably lost them cause I put the photos in first and then couldn't add copy.

I have a large house portrait to do and am waiting for a nice sunny day to go out and see the house and general landscape, It shall be a challenge as I have to show some water, boats, etc. which aren't too visible. It's great to be an artist as I can move things around or remove them, etc.

First step is to sketch and design picture, take photos for details. Then make small color sketches and decide shape and size of finished painting.

Photos 23Sept.

2010-09-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

22Sept. Forgot Password

2010-09-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hard to remember all these passwords, puts me in a blue funk. After many tries I got a new password so maybe I'll be able to write a new posting. Decided to do quick watercolor portraits this season [before I forget how]. They are in a 11x14 mat and take about 30 minutes....I figure the model can't sit longer than that without getting tired, bored or moving too much. Watercolor is more of a challenge than pastels. I enjoy using my new Canon Powershot 10 pixel camera, it's incredible and I can see all details clearly [not like my other cameras, can't see a thing}. I take a photo of the subject when done holding the portrait. Also take a shot of the model, I can easily make a portrait from these photos and in the future this may save people the chore of posing...we'll see.

June19 First Watercolor Portrait Sketch

2010-06-19T12:30:00.001-07:00

Well the season has finally begun....The sun is shining and the people are finally arriving. I did my first watercolor portrait this morning. I switched from pastels as I thought watercolor would be more challenging [and it is].

This is Beth, a lovely girl, easy to do. She should be a model. This was a good warmup as I have 3 more to do Monday. I enjoy doing portraits and I get so involved painting scenes that I don't paint portraits, I don't want to forget how to do them.......after all I did study under John Howard Sanden.

I think this will be a good season.

May 9-Video?

2010-05-09T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'll keep trying to get my video on my blog.

3 Dogs Pastel

2010-05-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

Trying to learn how to make and send videos of my work. Here's a short one.

April 25, 2010 -

2010-04-25T09:23:00.000-07:00

Fishermen's Festival So! Winter has shot it's bolt and now Spring is teasing us with some sun and anticipation of good things to come this Summer. Above you see some wood traps or pots which are being replaced with metal which are very unattactive and not conducive to making paintings.

I intend to keep painting them as they are the icons of lobster fishing. I suppose in 10 years or so none will be seen..........so enjoy them while you can, I know I shall. Meanwhile I'm struggling to master my new hp laptop, so different from old Dell desktop pc. Hope I can make some videos with it........William Spring

March Madness - 23March2010

2010-03-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

February Lobsterman

2010-02-17T08:56:00.000-08:00

2010-02-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

February Lobsterman

2010-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

A little break between snowstorms, so I'll make a new posting. No boats in the harbor, that's cabin cruisers and sailboats. Some lobsterboats and daysailers that are tied up to docks. It's quite a view with Burnt Island Light and Cuckolds Light way out on the horizon. Never get tired of painting boats, water, clouds and docks. Thinking about showing a lesson on gradation, going from light to dark, color to color and large to small.

Switching from 140# CP Arches to 300# Rough......doesn't wrinkle and can be worked on without attaching to a board. However, using 2" masking tape all around leaves a nice white border and looks finished. Also it is easier to do drybrush and takes paint very nicely, great gradations, blending colors into each other.

Red's Eats Loblster Rolls

2010-01-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Red's Eats in Wiscasset, Maine. After 20yrs of passing this fascinating, colorful place I had to paint it. So far I've painted 3 versions and I'm sure I'll paint more. Until this point I have not painted figures in my watercolors and was happy to do so. After all I spent years in art schools, etc. learning how to draw and paint figures. They are handled very loosely and done mostly with the brush which gets me away from too tight rendering of objects. I find it is more difficult to paint loosely than tight and hope to get the right combination of loose and tight work in my future paintings.

Red's Eats

Of course this place is closed as it is Winter and there is no one around. It's strange to drive by and not see a long line of people waiting to get their lobster rolls. Speaking of Winter I'm not about to go outdoors and paint so I'm working on this blog and trying to start a website. Amazing how much work it is and it's all greek to me........but I'll keep blogging along until I get it.

This is a New Year and I'm starting off with a new camera which I think is fantastic and I've already had excellent results. It's a Canon Power Shot, 10 pixels, very sharp and colorful. I also got a livescribe pen which records and saves all I write and say and can be retreived with a tap of the pen [ hope to use it in my blog ].

William's Pastel of 3 Schnauzers

2009-12-13T04:59:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I have to try something different. In this case a pastel instead of watercolor or acrylic. Also a different subject, dogs instead of Maine subjects. The only drawback is drawing fine lines with blunt soft pastels. So, it's a challenge and keeps the little gray cells stimulated.

After all these years I'm not afraid to erase and rub out an incorrect drawing which I did a few times trying to draw these dogs. It's not a crime to get the drawing wrong, you can fix it. It's easy to wipe out the drawing done in pastel [a light gray] with a tissue. I find if something doesn't look right in a drawing it probably isn't. Also I'm getting looser in applying color over a drawing [right over the lines and details]. Better than drawing right up to the lines.

It's Winter now in Boothbay Harbor, Maine and I won't be going out to sketch and paint. However, I can always take photos..........especially since I just got a Canon PowerShot, 10 megapixel digital camera which I think is the best camera I ever bought. This pastel is one of the first shots I've taken, I think it's very sharp and I' m very happy with the results, can't wait to shoot some portraits.

Square Canvas #1 WC October 16, 2009

2009-11-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Square Canvas Annual Show at the Art Region, B.H., ME

You can add an original 12x12 canvas painting to your collection for only $100. If you see a good one you must have...grab it! Show opens Nov. 27, then open weekends until Sun. Jan. 3. And, no frames necessary. So if you can make it, you'll enjoy looking at all these creative square canvases [ I know I will].

So, it's November and it's getting cooler. I suppose this won't stop the gung ho plein air painters........as for me I'm staying inside where it's nice and warm........all I need are sketches and photos. No matter what the subject matter it must be designed with nice shapes, 3 values and exciting colors. I think making a small color sketch is the most important part of making a painting and what I enjoy most. Most of the time the color sketch looks better than the painting. Art is frustrating.

October 26, 2009.........Evered

2009-10-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Evered is as much Boothbay Harbor as Loblsterboats. He is a fascinating man who keeps talking as he works his way thru the streets with his wagon, talking up a storm with the many people he knows [and doesn't know] along the way.

The leaves are at their peak and perhaps we will give Vermont a little competition. Now is the ideal time for artists to try to capture the colorful burst of colors intertwined amongst the evergreens. Yellows, yellow orange, orange, burnt sienna [which is dark orange] and reds will be needed. Also you must lighten, darken and adjust these colors as you see fit. Complements will do nicely to grey the colors down a bit. Notice the colors in the portrait, the blue sky complements the yellow hat and the green tree complements the red flesh........such fun.

If you would like to comment try springwc@myfairpoint.net

Library Flowers

2009-10-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Cropped Painting

Previous blog showed original photo in mat and was distorted. I cropped it in Picasa and now it looks right.

October 8

2009-10-08T05:32:00.001-07:00

Fisherboy - E. Boothbay, Maine

Another rainy day. Not good for watercolor painting but can always switch to acrylics which is another water based medium and compatible with watercolor. Shall try to do more mixed media paintings. First make a watercolor, then paint over it [ like light strokes over dark areas]. It's very helpful since you can't paint around thin light strokes on a watercolor. Stephen Quiller has excellent books & videos on Acrylic/Watercolor painting.

How much do you have to know to make a blog? Too much I think. I had to stop after finishing the above paragraph, pressed save and had a frustrating time getting back to this post to continue. Life seems to be just making errors and correcting them. Have to read the next chapter in "Blogging for Dummies" Will keep plodding along hoping some day to have a classy looking blog. William T.

2009-10-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

This is an acrylic which I made because I liked the watercolor so much. I tried sending it via email, etc. but it didn't work. However I did manage to get it thru a browse menu?

Now to see if this picture gets on my blog. This blog thing is getting me confused but I'll keep trying until I get it. Failure means you have to learn what you did wrong, no shame in that, after all we weren't born knowing everything. We have to learn by trial and error. Let's push publish and see what's what.

September of my Discontent

2009-09-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

Would like to talk more about painting but am being held up trying to master this blog. I feel I'm making progress tho. Once you make your color sketch you are ready to start a finished painting. First select a size, get a mat to fit frame and place over paper {200#, 300# is better than 140# as it won't buckle. I'm switching over to it myself} With mat over paper draw your subject, you know it will fit mat perfectly when you are done painting. Remove mat and start painting, you could tape paper to board if you wish [Birgit O'Connor likes to move paper around as she paints, try it] My parting word is You can learn from anybody. I do. William T.

A Blog In Time

2009-09-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

A Blog in Time........I won't always be in time but I'll try. Putting paint on paper is my thing and I guess having a blog will give me the chance to give my opinion. I've learned a lot about drawing, painting and designing in my life and I'm still learning, so I thought I would pass on some of the things I've learned. I know everything has already been covered by other artists but each one adds his or hers special creativity. Take 10 artists painting the same subject and each one will be different.

I'm still learning how to make this blog, so bear with me as I stumble along in this electronic age where my password never seems to be accepted.

2009-09-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

This is a view from the East Side of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I think the reflections in the water are beautiful. The way to do that is paint while the paper is wet. Notice the gradation from light blue to dark violet with the exciting dark shape all across the bottom. The dark trees on top bring out the light buildings. Dark against light and light against dark [that's my motto]. Paintings are mostly midtones with some lights and darks.

The red roofs are the Tugboat Inn and to the left you can make out the masts of the Bounty when it was being worked on in the Sample shipyard. Over on the right you can make out the Eastwind, a schooner you can take a sail on tied up in front of the Fisherman's Inn. If you wait awhile you're bound to see some kayaks go by.

Still trying to figure out how this blog thing works, changing type fonts, colors, etc. That's all for now.......William T.

Sketch

2009-09-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

This is beautiful Boothbay Harbor, Maine with Brown's Wharf in the background. There are so many beautiful scenes to paint in Maine that it is difficult to decide what subject to concentrate on. So I start with the seashore and pick out whatever excites me at the moment. First a short drive to Ocean Point where the first thing you see is Grimes Cove with a tiny little island smack dab in the center a short distance offshore [of course I never paint anything dead center, always a little bit off center for more interest].

Whipping out my sketchbook I start designing my composition. I look for a center of interest within three values, light, medium and dark shapes. Design is the most important thing. It has to be interesting, exciting and have some interest to most people. Each value will have variety, color and edges. You can't have all hard [or soft] edges. Each shape whatever the value will have a dominant color, even so there could be two or three very close color and value changes within it. And to top it off there will be details.

These small sketches in a 9x12 sketchbook are best done in watercolor and not too large, 5x4 or whatever suits your fancy. I make sure to take photos, digital of course, for details which I can't get in a small sketch. Using sketch and photos I can make any size painting from them.

So much for the sketch, next.......How to paint. William Spring

2009-03-22T14:50:00.000-07:00