Plymouth Harbor Southern Coastline

 

It was a gorgeous dry day in August.   A waterfront festival was ongoing along Water Street in Plymouth and the street was closed to cars and opened to pedestrians.   As result we couldn't easily gain access to our usual spots.   Instead we traveled a little further south along Route 3A and stopped at a public park on Plymouth Harbor called Stephen's Field.



Windy & Sunny Day Set Up



Plymouth Harbor South Coast in Progress

I have been fine tuning my plein air set up over the past few months.   Today I was able to take advantage of my big umbrella and the back of my vehicle to avoid the wind.   I left the side opening rear door open and placed the umbrella base just below the far left side.   I used a bungy cord to connect the leftmost umbrella spoke (wind facing) to the rear car door.  I wound a long bungy from the top of the umbrella to the base.   This may seem like overkill, but for me, when things are rocking and rolling, I can't concentrate.




Plymouth Harbor South

With the wind issue under control, I rescanned the scene.  It was low tide which revealed some sandbars, salt march grasses and boulders.   As tide was rising, these interesting elements started to be submerged.   I reminded myself that it was important to stay locked into the original composition, because the additional water was not improving it by covering the variety of things that made it attractive at the beginning.

Although it was not a complicated painting, I was happy with the result.   I felt that the sky and water were an exact match to what I saw, even though, per usual, in the in-progress photo they may seem not to match.






Back to Powder Point Bridge

Powder Point Bridge Kayaks - Stage 1

My paint out destination today was a past favorite, the Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury, MA.  The temporary placard at the base of the bridge stated that the beach side parking lot was full.    I was forced to settle for a shore-side parking spot looking east across Duxbury Bay.   It turned out to be a fine spot and with my full sized picnic umbrella to shield the sun, it was perfect.

Staring out at the long, wooden bridge, I again marveled at the length and design.   See the my previous Vezina Art blog post if you are interested in a map, and some history on this marvelous structure.    Powder Point Bridge  

Powder Point Bridge Kayaks - Stage 2

I've painted the Powder Point before but never was as satisfied with the overall result as I was with this painting.   The dimensions of the linen on panel canvas (12 inches by 24 inches), was suitable for the long horizontal span and may have made the difference.     Although there was a constant stream of cars and people driving and walking across the bridge, the large size of the railings obscured them such that they didn't stand out prominently in terms of interesting elements for the painting.   I decided to add two kayakers in the water.  The spot where I was set up evidently was a preferred spot for launching kayaks and I saw several leaving and returning at the bay shore just in front of me.

After a couple of hours of rising temperatures I finally packed up.   I had not finished my sky; it was painted but I hadn't added the gorgeous summery clouds (see Stage 2 photo).    When I got back to the studio, I reviewed my reference photos and cropped a group of clouds that I liked.   My goal was to counterbalance the heaviness on the left side of the painting with a strong cloud pattern on the upper right.

If you ever get a chance to get to Duxbury Beach, plan on entering from the bridge.   It is truly amazing!

Powder Point Bridge Kayaks

Bluefish River Firehouse

Engine One - Stage One

Near the junction of St. George Street and Washington Street in Duxbury, MA there is a unique 107 year old building that has been restored through the preservation efforts of the folks in this Town of Duxbury public article.



The sign over the front door says "Engine Company One."  Although this was not the original location of the building, it was a firehouse built in 1906 that held the horses that would pull the pumpers to a fire.   The structure now sits at the bridge over the Bluefish River.   This is another gorgeous and breezy local spot.   It made a perfect paint-out location, especially in the warm mid-summer.






Engine One - Stage Two

There were a few things that attracted me to this scene.  I like the challenge of a structure, so that was first and foremost.   There were strong shadows being cast from the building and the tree overhead as well, it being a bright, sunny day.   A small, conical, pine tree was backlit and it stood out against the dark green trees in the background.   Large towering red maples in the right background made a nice contrast to the mostly green surroundings. Two terracotta pots with geraniums were sitting on either side of the firehouse doors.  What's not to like?   The dilemma was, with all these neat elements, which one will be the star?    Even I didn't know until I got toward the end.   (True confession.)




Engine One - Duxbury, MA

In the end I made the far side geraniums the brightest and sharpest, along with some cadmium red light, straight from the tube.   Second most vivid contrast was the little pine tree in the middle.  Comments welcome.   Should I tone down the sunlit grass in the foreground?



Howland's Landing from New Open Space

Howland's Landing Left - Stage 1

Under the Umbrella - Stage 2

Howland's Landing Left - Stage 3
 

The Town of Duxbury bought the land next to Howland's Landing and has done a nice job creating a neat open space that overlooks the ocean inlet to the south.   There are several large, mature trees, picnic tables and benches.   Although this is a fairly new park, the number of people we saw revealed that the word is spreading about this fabulous spot.


The land on the far shore is Kingston and Rocky Nook and the four large wind turbines that border Plymouth can be seen in the distance.  






Howland's Landing Left - Final



Howland's Landing Right - In Progress

The second painting was the stretch of shore to the right of the first painting, almost like a continuation.   See series below.   If I had given that more thought, I could have made the horizon line be at the same level on both paintings.   It would have made a nicer diptyck.  


Howland's Landing Right - Final









Under the Yellow Umbrella

Yellow Umbrella Girl - Stage 1

Yellow Umbrella Girl - Stage 2

An indoor painting session with our live model resulted in a sweet pose with a predominantly yellow and purple harmony.    The cool light on the yellow umbrella was painted with lemon yellow.   The darker yellow in shadow was painted with a mix of cadmium yellow deep and purple.  

After having painted this same young lady two weeks ago and using her photograph to make adjustments to that first painting, I was quite familiar with her features.   The initial drawing of the face in paint went more smoothly because of it.  

The umbrella pigment was spread on with the palette knife, giving it a broken chunky look that I like.   The figure in my painting was chunky as well and that I did not like.   The model was trim and fit so in my pursuit to get a likeness I slimmed her out significantly.  Within the purple yellow harmony, the darks of her hair were purple and the lights were yellowish-lavender.

The hands are still a little to rough for my liking, so before I call it completely done, I will smooth them out a bit.   Comments are welcome.




Pembroke Herring Run

Pembroke Herring Run

On the way back from dropping paintings off at the Pembroke Arts Festival, we stopped at a very interesting and scenic little spot.   A small building with a red door and a yellow wreath stood on the Pembroke Herring Run property.    There were multiple streams forking out in parallel with tiered rocky steps designed to allow the herring to make their way upstream from the ocean.   

It was supposed to be a cloudy but decent day weatherwise, but it continued to rain even after we set up.   We used a large picnic table umbrella to shelter the two easels, two painters and two sets of gear.  If I wasn't in love with the other painter, it might have been a little cramped, but since I was, it was very enjoyable.



 

Quick Painting 40 strokes

After finishing the painting above, I began a quick 8x8 painting with the notion that I would complete it in 20 strokes.  It was only a notion, since I estimate that it took more like 40 strokes.

Below is a photo of a sign at the Pembroke Herring Run that describes the cycle of the herrings, ocean to streams to ponds and back again.   For the record, we saw no herring on this day (early August).



Herring Habit

Return of the Mayflower II

Return of the Mayflower II - Stage One

It was a great day in Plymouth, "America's Hometown" with the return of the Mayflower II.   The historic ship left the Fairhaven Shipyard early Wednesday morning pulled by a tugboat, arriving in Plymouth Harbor around 12:30 p.m.

For the past seven months, Mayflower II has been undergoing extensive repairs in dry-dock, a restoration and preservation project that began this past winter.  

 

The waterfront had a parade type atmosphere, with locals and tourists alike enjoying the perfect 75 degree summer temperatures.  As for the impressive event that brought me, it seemed like there were as many people who did not know in advance about the ship's arrival as who did.  

 

Return of the Mayflower II - Stage Two

My painting plan was to paint in the entire scene (I used a black gessoed canvas) and decide at the last moment if I would add the ship in.   The painting of Plymouth Harbor and the Mayflower II's dock progressed over a couple of hours and I had numerous interested viewers, some of whom visited multiple times checking on the progress. 

 

See the Stage One photo for the painting's backdrop - still shipless.  I even painted in the many boats moored in the harbor although I knew some would be painted over by the Mayflower.

 

As word spread that the historic ship had entered the harbor and was approaching, I started to mix up the warm wood color (raw sienna, cadmium red, naples yellow) that I remembered from painting the ship last year.   My dark would be Gamblin's Fastmatte Ultramarine with some burnt sienna.   I grabbed a medium sized straight edge soft brush.   I had added a utility pole on the left;  it proved useful in comparing the relative height of the masts with crow's nests on the fly.   The rendering isn't perfect, but I loved the immediacy of doing a quick draw with a minimum of strokes.   I believe it looks really fresh, as is often the case when it is done in real time.

 

Maureen at Mayflower II Return

Thank you to all my new friends who offered encouragement along the way.   Thanks to one fellow, a Massachusetts transplant to California, and back for a visit, the decision to paint the ship on the fly was clinched.   We agreed, I had to go for it.  He also took the following picture of me at the paint-out's conclusion.

 

Watch for the final painting on my website (www.vezinart.com) within a week or so.

End of the Trail Santa Monica

Historic Interstate Route 66 winds across the western half of the United States, connecting Chicago and San Diego.   US 66 is also known as the Will Rogers Highway, "Main Street of America," and the "Mother Road."   It was one of the original highways within the US Highway System, its first road signs erected in 1926.

It covers a total of 2448 miles and was a major path for those moving or just travelling west.   Its popularity resulted in growth of business and communities along the route.   The Route 66 subculture has even been immortalized in song and literature, although its use as the preferred travelling route has been replaced by the US Superhighways. 

The "End of the Trail" marker for Route 66 can be found at the end of a long steep slope which spills out onto the Santa Monica Pier.

Just about a year ago, we did a whirlwind tour of Santa Monica soaking up the sun, surf and super-cool atmosphere.   In this scene, two teens were hanging off either side of the Route 66 trail marker sign, hamming it up, while their picture is being taken.   I liked the relaxed, carefree, fun feel of the pier.   The warm southern California light tinted the wooden pier and the deep contrasting shadows were on the blue end of the spectrum.  I played with a lot of pure color for other elements like the hat kiosk, bicycle racks and umbrellas, in keeping with the carnival atmosphere.

I'm submitting this one for a Juried Show called "I Love Santa Monica."

Another Courtroom Sketch

In the Boston Federal Courthouse today, the closing arguments were presented in the trial of James "Whitey" Bulger.   Fred Wyshak Jr., US Attorney, presented for over three hours, summarizing the government's case against Bulger.   The scene depicted in the sketch is Wyshak who stood at the podium while Defense Attorney Jay Carney and Bulger sat at a table behind him.

Blue and Orange Portrait

In Class Portrait Start

Our Figures in the Landscape class was forced inside due not to rain, but due to the heat.   To any tropical latitude readers, I admit we cannot take the heat here in New England!   We painted in the relative comfort of the North River Arts Society building.

I took the opportunity to do a head and shoulders portrait of our gorgeous model, a college student and daughter of one of my classmates.   Her manner was lovely and composed and when she spoke, it was obvious that she was a sweetheart.   So not only was


Portrait in Blue and Orange
  Post Figure Class

my goal to do justice to her flawless complexion, but to achieve an expression that conveyed a lovely person inside.

For the first couple of hours I worked on the accuracy of my drawing.   I worked on a smooth clayboard which is good for wiping out all the lightest lights while building the structure of the face. 

My first attempt at full color paint turned out very poorly and even ruined my underpainted sketch.   In a rage that only I seemed to know about, I vigorously wiped out and began again.   With only an hour to go, I had to buckle down and get the facial features done before time ran out. 



Portrait in Blue and Orange with Studio Fixes

The wiped down canvas still had the ghost of the first rendering, and some classmates and teacher Dianne thought I should call it done.   It did look somewhat misty and loose; I did like it.   However, I was shooting for a very good likeness and I didn't want to waste the opportunity to work on facial accuracy of a live model.

At the end of class I took some reference photos so that I could finish the portrait in the studio.   My goal was to keep everything loose and misty except for the facial features.   The first photo is the painting at the end of class.   The photo below contains corrections made back in the studio.  Prior to the final posting to my website, I may make a very slight modification to the lips and soften the eyes' expression in keeping with the little twinkle that our lovely model has.

Courtroom Sketches

Bulger Hunched Over

One of the country's most infamous criminals, James "Whitey" Bulger is currently on trial in the Federal Courthouse in Boston.    Last week the prosecution wrapped up its case and this week, the defense began presenting their witnesses.   This news got me thinking that if I was going to get into Boston to see any of the trial, I had better do it soon.



Bulger & Carney

Only ten courtroom spots are available to ordinary citizens like myself.   The security guard at the door of the courtroom showed me the ten signatures that were taking up those ten spots on this particular day.   He noted that typically the list was filled by 5:30 AM.   The bottom line was that there was no chance of me getting into the main courtroom.



FBI Fitzgerald Ink 1+2

I was directed to the "overflow" courtroom.   In these courtrooms (there were actually two) large video monitors were set up on either side of the room allowing the viewing public to witness the trial.  

It was a dual purpose that prompted my visit to the courthouse.     It is a historic and fascinating trial spanning forty years of Boston history.   While listening and viewing the trial, I would also be able to work on portraits of the witnesses. 

FBI Fitzgerald Ink 3+4

Before the jury came in, Judge Casper ruled on various motions that had been put before her, including the issue of sequestration of the jury during deliberations.    Bulger struck a pose during these proceedings that I have heard has been his daily position (eyes down, chin resting on his left hand) and his lawyer, Jay Carney was seated to his right.


On this, the first day for the defense, they put Robert Fitzgerald, a former FBI Supervisor, on the stand.    For three hours he recounted everything from his schooling, to his involvement in organized crime cases, political scandals (ABSCAM), and his job as supervisor of a group of FBI Agents in Boston.  

FBI Fitzgerald Ink 5

FBI Fitzgerald Ink 6

His seventy-three year old face was full of character lines.   His hair was somewhat red, his cheeks fleshy and rudy, and his moustache was gray.    I had my sketchbook, but had left my pencil on the passenger seat of the car.   So I sketched with a Bic pen until the first break, when I could retrieve my pencil.   I have included all of my scribblings in this post.

The progression of the sketches probably demonstrates the learning that went on as I became more familiar with the facial features.   The only drawback was that I was copying from a 2D monitor, not the person in full 3D.  All the practice is good however.

FBI Fitzgerald Ink 7

Robert Fitzgerald Pencil Sketch

Yellow Sailboat and Three Dinghies

Little Yellow Sailboat

This painting was done last week completely "en plein air"(outside) and "alla prima" (all in one session).   It has the color and freshness that the outside experience gives.     The tide was low and the boats sat on the wet muck.     Three little dinghy friends were huddled together leaving their upscale masted friend out of it.

Part of the Duxbury Art Association Wet Paint Event.   Win it through the silent auction!