Down to the Opera House

Down to the Opera House

seen as rising sunlight shined at 23 School Street in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$400

 

My Plein Air Setup

Down School Street No School

Down School Street No School

seen as rising sunlight shined at 23 School Street in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

 

My Plein Air Setup

Opera House Green Fits

Opera House Green Fits

seen from Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 19, 2024, 9" x 12" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$400

My Plein Air Setup

Lobsterboats Moored Below Violet's House

Lobsterboats Moored

Below Violet's House

seen from Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$600

Lobsterboats Ready to Rest

Lobsterboats Ready to Rest

seen as sunlight faded to night from Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 18, 2024, 12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$400

 

My Plein Air Setup

Lobsterboat See from Home Scene

Lobsterboat See from Home Scene

seen from Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 19, 2024, 5" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Before Sand Beach

Before Sand Beach

seen from the turnout view point before Sand Beach in Stonington, Maine, where John Marin painted about a hundred years ago, and as sign notes this, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$500

Knotwood Dancing by Marks Light

Knotwood Dancing by Marks Light

seen from the turnout view point before Sand Beach in Stonington, Maine, where John Marin painted about a hundred years ago, and as sign notes this, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$400

John Marin Sign at the Turnout - Mark Island in the Background

"John Marin, 1870-1953, one of the nation's preeminent artists, painted some of his finest works in Stonington. Abstract as they are, one can clearly see in the painting that the artist spent profitable hours at the Sand Beach roadside turnout, looking at the very special scenery including Mark Island. His painting of Mark's Island is one of the treasures of the Portland Museum of Art.

Marin rented at Sand Beach and in Stonington before he moved on downeast to Addison.

At the entrance to the waterway known as the Thoroughfare, stands Mark Island Light. First lit on New Year's Day of 1858, this is the welcoming beacon at Deer Isle's front door. In 1998 Island Heritage Trust took title to Mark Island as a wildlife preserve and the U.S. Coast Guard agreed to maintain the light itself."

Deer Isle Series: Mark Island Lighthouse
John Marin (1870–1953) American
Watercolor on paper, 22" x 17" (w x h), 1928
Portland (Maine) Museum of Art
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John Marin, Jr.

Our art group repeatedly rented the house where John Marin stayed at Sand Beach for two weeks in the fall and painted there.

 

Mark the Island off Sand Beach

Mark the Island off Sand Beach

seen from Sand Beach's Woods in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and graphite on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$500

My Plein Air Setup

Sand Bar off Sand Beach

Sand Bar off Sand Beach

seen from Sand Beach's Woods in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 20, 2024, 10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

My Plein Air Setup

Lobstertraps Yellow Buoyed by Blue

Lobstertraps Yellow Buoyed by Blue

seen from the Bookstore dock facing Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2024, 10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

My Plein Air Setup

Lobstertraps Docked No Buoys

Lobstertraps Docked No Buoys

seen from the Bookstore dock facing Greenhead in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2024, 10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Above Stonington

Above Stonington

at the public dock in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Harbor Tide Streams Out

Harbor Tide Streams Out

at the public dock in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

My Plein Air Setup

Tide Out Dock Docked

Tide Out Dock Docked

at the public dock in Stonington, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Strawberry Island Peak High

Strawberry Island Peak High

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

My Plein Air Setup

Strawberry Island Rocks

Strawberry Island Rocks

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Strawberry Island Rocks by the See

Strawberry Island Rocks
by the See

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Strawberry Island Way Away

Strawberry Island
Way Away

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

My Plein Air Setup

Strawberry Island to Night

Strawberry Island to Night

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Strawberry Island Low Tide Out There

Strawberry Island
Low Tide Out There

at Strawberry Island, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 16, 2024, 8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Picnic Rock Kennebunk River Bends

Picnic Rock
Kennebunk River Bends

at Picnic Rock on the Kennebunk River, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 15, 2024, 8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Picnic Rock Kennebunk River Tide Incoming

Picnic Rock
Kennebunk River
Tide Incoming

at Picnic Rock on the Kennebunk River, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 15, 2024, 8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

My Plein Air Setup

Picnic Rock Kennebunk River...

Picnic Rock Kennebunk River
Introspection Reflection

at Picnic Rock on the Kennebunk River, Kennebunk, Maine, part of the Kennebunk Land Trust, painted plein air on June 15, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Goldenrod Peak on a Gamboling Peek

Goldenrod Peak
on a Gamboling Peek

at Maine Audubon's Gilsland Preserve, Falmouth, Maine, 2023, painted June 23/24, 2024, 14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, on 140 lbs. Arches rough 100% cotton watercolor paper, framed.
$500

Spring Blossoms

Spring Blossoms

At the Maine Coast Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine June 8, painted June 14, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Rhododendron Waterfall

Rhododendron Waterfall

At the Maine Coast Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine June 8, painted June 12/13, 2024 10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Poppies See You

Poppies See You

At the Maine Coast Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine June 8, painted June 12, 2024, 7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Globes of Onions Ornamental

Globes of Onions Ornamental

an Allium Ornamental Onion mix in the Amaryllidaceae Family, which includes the Amaryllis, at the Maine Coast Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine painted plein air on June 8, 2024, 14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$600

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Painting Progression Sequence

1
My plein air setup in the sun, but we're surrounded by scattered showers. I'm ready with my flat watercolor brushes, today using 1/2", 1" and 2" flats. Using all flats is not the norm for watercolor painters, but I get the point. Do you?

2
I usually use permanent ink, not erasable pencil, to lightly and loosely sketch my drawing. I make a bold statement. There's no niggling, pencil, erase, pencil, erase pencil.

3
Painting, light to dark colors, I paint a layer of yellow using my two-inch flat brush, which, when dry, will underlay my painting various blues over them, creating, also various, greens.

4
Oh, oh, slight rain shower... good time for a break. My huge Blunt umbrella from New Zealand more than adequately protects my painting and setup. 

5
Cobalt green (almost a turquoise) painted over dry yellow, produces warm greens, leaving bits of yellow, especially along the flowers' edges, to provide some pop.

6
Some darker Prussian Blue brings on a deeper cool green and some very dark Payne's Gray Bluish (only Schmincke Horadam, all other brands not quite the same) adds deep green shadows, while some Cobalt Violet Deep, which is a light purple, begins the purpling of the globes, and the deeper Quinacridone purple adds the beginning of the deeper purple shadows. Some light touches of yellow, blue, and Davey's Gray add texture to the white globes.
 

7
Do I feel a raindrop? Nope. Phew. I continue brushing lines of flower stems with clear water and lifting using Viva Signature paper towels (no texture for even lifting) to bring out the flower stems, the yellow/green stems appearing against the darker background. Painting some blues at the stem edges add a sharp edge to that gradual lifting.

8
With brush in hand I listen to my inner voice, warning me not to overwork the painting, saying, "Stop!" Fortunately, I listen. Time to photograph the final image at high resolution for posting this painting on my website: www.theartofbruce.blogspot.com.