Here's another painting from Rehoboth, this time of the beach itself. I did this around the same time I did the picture of Silver Lake in the previous post.
Geoff Watson, "Rehoboth Beach," oil on panel, 11" x 14," 2016.
Herring Point revisited
Over the summer I painted an 8" x 10" plein air study of Herring Point at Cape Henlopen Park in Delaware. This week I've been trying to develop that study into a larger studio work. I always find this translation process challenging: how does one preserve the charm of the study while incorporating enough new information to enlarge the work?
One approach is to supplement the study with photo references, but I often find it more helpful to work off the study and to fill in gaps with my memory. In this case, I remember thinking I didn't have enough time to record all the human activity on the beach. I've added more beachgoers in this version.
Geoff Watson, "Herring Point," oil on canvas, work in progress, 16" x 20," 2017.
Two ocean views
Today my daughter Maddie and I painted the same beach, though from slightly different vantage points, and with two decidedly different moods. Hers is upbeat and sunny; mine is somewhat darker. Hers is especially impressive because it's the first oil painting she's done since she was about 9 years old.
Maddie Watson, "Windy beach", oil on panel, 8" x 10".
Geoff Watson, "Surf at Cape Henlopen," oil on panel, 8" x 10".