Daily painting #75: Potomac River

I painted this view of the Potomac from Swains Lock campground. A couple of nearby campers took an interest in what I was doing, and they seemed to like it, even though I was hogging a good campsite for a couple hours! I was especially interested in the strange little tree that seemed to be growing in the middle of the river.

Also, I found some relatively inexpensive linen panels, so I’ll be using those a lot over the next few weeks. I think I paint better on linen, but it’s ordinarily prohibitively expensive, so I’m excited about the switch.

Geoff Watson, “Potomac Tree,” oil on linen, 9” x 12,” 2019.

A windy day at the canal

It was a cold, blustery, windy day down by the Potomac River today.  That didn't stop me from getting out there and painting!  Alas, I got cold, so I didn't really finish this piece.  I still had fun with it.

Geoff Watson, "A blustery day," study, oil on canvas panel, 11" x 14," 2018.

On the Potomac

I paid another visit to the Potomac River today. It was a partly cloudy, sultry sort of day, but it was still beautiful. A boater rowed right in front of me, and he asked if he could be in my painting. I am happy I was able to accommodate him!

Geoff Watson, "On the Potomac," oil on panel, 8" x 10," 2017.

Standup Paddle-boarding

it was too hot to paint outside today, but I tried anyway. (What's up with the 90-degree heat and high humidity in late September?) I got a bit overheated, and I had some trouble concentrating, but the painting turned out well enough. Several of these paddle-boarders meandered by, but I never got a good look at the boats/boards they pilot. I did my best. As I was packing up, I was treated to a glorious red sunset!

Geoff Watson, "Standup Paddle-boarding," oil on panel, 8" x 10," 2017.

Potomac Reflections

I found a shady spot by the Potomac River, near Swains lock in Maryland, and painted reflections from the far woods. I had on plenty of bug spray, but even so I was assaulted by a combined-arms force of stink bugs. Airborn bugs dive-bombed me while infantry bugs marched across my painting. Nonetheless, I managed to escape with a credible picture of the scene.

Geoff Watson, "Potomac Reflections," oil on panel, 8" x 10," 2017.

River Bend Watercolors

Today I painted five quick watercolor studies at River Bend Park in northern Virginia, on the Potomac. In each study I was experimenting with color and composition; I didn't bother with an underdrawing. Here are three examples.

Geoff Watson, "River Bend Study," watercolor on paper, 12" x 16," 2017.

Geoff Watson, "Seeing purple," watercolor on paper, about 6"x 8," 2017.

Geoff Watson, "Maryland, from Virginia," watercolor on paper, about 6" x 8," 2017.

The Potomac from Swain's Campsite

It was a glorious day of 70-degree sunshine, and I spent the afternoon at Swain's campsite, a free campground adjoining Swain's Lock on the C&O Canal in Potomac, Maryland. I found an open campsite, and it had this lovely view, framed by trees, just as I painted it. It was one of those plein air paintings in which I didnt really have to change much to make the composition work. The atmosphere was quite jolly, as campers and day-hikers strolled around the river-side, taking in the view. The lock itself would be fun to paint, as would the canal, so I'll be revisiting this wonderful park.

Geoff Watson, "The Potomac River, viewed from Swain's,Campground," oil on canvas panel, 8" x 10," 2017.

Small falls on the Potomac

Today is my birthday, and it was a glorious day of warm sunshine here in the D.C. area. I celebrated by spending the day painting a bend in the Potomac River. 

Geoff Watson, "Small Waterfalls on the Potomac," oil on panel, 8" x 10", 2017.