samish-dusk-7-5x22-2016

Last week I painted for a glorious 5 days at Samish Island Camp with a group of artists. I was free to sketch and paint the entire time (though careful not to miss any of the great fresh meals cooked and served by the staff). One evening about 7PM after dinner when the light was fading, I wandered toward the shore. The sky was glazed with pink and lavender, and the bay waters reflected these colors. In direct contrast, the land forms claimed dark green and ochre tones.  Values followed the colors:  light sky, very dark land forms, and mid-tone water.

The red-purple and yellow-green hues shouted “opposites on the color wheel” and demanded a photo. The next morning I tried to capture the scene in watercolor by alternating dilute alizarin crimson and a little lavender gouache. Thick brushstrokes of perylene green and raw sienna created near-black land forms.

Sometimes just a short walk pays off with big inspiration.

KC