We’ve been traveling to Maine since my kids were little. We’ve made a lot of great memories along the way, and now a new generation is falling in love with this place that captured my heart all those years ago. One of my grandchildren actually said the other day that he’d rather go to Maine than to Disney World! Now, that’s high praise coming from a 12-year-old.
I have several sketchbooks filled with Maine sketches that chronicle our experiences over the years, but last summer I decided it wouldn’t hurt to add one more, so I started a sketchbook that would be filled with all the things we love about Maine.
Most of the pages feature a general category, but a few of them showcase a specific place. So far, I’ve documented lobster shacks,
the huge LL Bean flagship store in Freeport,
the rocky beaches of the Schoodic peninsula,
and amazing summer days that make my spirits soar…
This year I added a couple of new pages, but I don’t feel any pressure to fill the sketchbook any time soon; I see it as an ongoing project that I can pick up and work on any time I’m lucky enough to be in Maine.
On our drive up Route 1 this year, headed for Rockland, we took a side trip to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. To me, it’s the quintessential Maine lighthouse and the perfect subject for a “Things I Love About Maine” page.
The rocks were painted with a base wash of warm tans and greys, then shadows were added, and, finally, the striped lines in the rocks. Spattering was added at the end using a spatter screen.
I used lots of color in the shadows to give the impression of reflected light.
The front porch of the house was suggested with paint only. This kept it from competing with the lighthouse for attention. Ink lines might have drawn the eye to that area more, so I kept the porch less defined than the rest of the building and lighthouse.
Now, on to Birch Point…
Birch Point State Park is one of my favorite spots in midcoast Maine. It’s picture perfect, with its curving sand beach and rocky shoreline. I’ve painted lots of sketches there over the years, so for this one, I pushed myself to come up with something a little different. Here’s the result of my brainstorming – a panoramic sketch with a separate overlay.
The overlay, which was cut from painted 140 lb. watercolor paper, has a wavy top edge bordered with polka dots, and the title lettering is done in a cute flowery style. (Download the font here.) It’s held in place with polka dot washi tape. When it’s folded back the full painting is revealed.
Since most of my sketches of Birch Point feature the rocky shoreline, I decided to make it secondary in this one. Here, the focus is definitely on the sky!
It was an overcast day, with shifting clouds which moved and changed quickly as I painted. I started by wetting the paper with clear water. Then I painted around the clouds that I wanted to stay white, using Ultramarine Blue for the brighter blue where the sky was clearing and a darker blue-grey (Ultramarine Blue + Burnt Sienna) for the stormier clouds. After the first sky layer had dried, I went back and layered more blue-grey to deepen the values. I softened some edges to blend the strokes into the background, and others were laid down using a drybrush technique to create ragged edges.
The landscape was drawn with a pencil instead of my usual ink. It’s a nice change, and I like the less-defined look.
The rocks were painted very simply. I left white highlights as I washed on the first layer of paint, a warm golden color mixed from Yellow Ochre + Burnt Umber + the tiniest touch of Ultramarine Blue.
The shadows were painted with a richer, less diluted mix of the same color combination. Easy-peasy!
Now that I’m back home, I’m working on finishing up a couple more sketches from the trip – watch for those coming soon!
15 Comments
It’s pure JOY to see Maine through your journal pages and pick up some painting methods and techniques as well! The sky, rocks, flowers, water are all useful tips!
Thank you for the inspiration to make beautiful memory pages!!!
I’m glad to hear that, Julene. I try to include helpful tips in all my posts, I guess because that’s what I like when I read posts from others.
Love these pages! Can you share what pen you use? I love the crisp sharp edges.
Thank you for sharing your vacation and beautiful paintings!
I use a variety of pens. For the lighthouse sketch, I used a Sailor Fude pen with a bent nib. You can find them on Amazon, and they’re fairly inexpensive. With that pen, the line width is dependent upon the angle you hold the nib, so you can get a very light, thin line or a dark, bold line. I love to draw with it on watercolor paper, because I can get so much variation in my lines.
Other pens I use are the Pitt Aritst’s Pen, size 01, and the Pigma Micron, size 01. Also, the Platinum Carbon Desk Pen with extra fine nib, available from Amazon or Goulet Pens.
Thank you! 🙂
Leslie! Loved your “Maine” work! Thank you for sharing!!!
Most Sincerely, Nancy Hoffman
Hi Nancy – Thanks for being such a faithful reader of my blog and for taking the time to always comment. I appreciate it.
Leslie,
I love getting your pictures and stories, always so comforting. I am a beginner painter and you inspire me with all your beautiful watercolors. Thank you for taking me along on your travels and sharing all your tips, so kind. Your skies are amazing! 🖌️ patricia
Thank you for your sweet comments, Patricia. I hope we’ll have a chance to meet one day.
Hi Leslie,
I look forward to your new posts every week. I have booked to go on your Provence tour in September 2024 and am busily trying out some of your suggestions. Thankyou
Cheers,
Jude
How exciting! You’ll LOVE Provence, and you’re wise to be painting and practicing now to get ready for the trip. It makes it so much easier when you’re comfortable with your supplies and setup. Too bad we have to wait a whole year to meet up in France!
I love reading about your trips. The scenery is amazing. I really love reading your tips especially the one on the sky and clouds.
I do go to some very pretty places! Glad you are enjoying all the little tips and tricks I put into my posts. Every little bit of info helps, doesn’t it!
I appreciate it when you talk about the color mixing. It’s probably the area where I feel least adept in painting and it helps to have a handle on the overall combos.
I am seriously thinking about the Cotswolds. It sounds terrific.
Hi Jeanie,
I’ll keep that in mind and try to remember to mention what colors I’m using more often. I’m glad you find it helpful. And I’d LOVE to have you come along to the Cotswolds. We have a wonderful group of women coming – I think it’s going to be a very special workshop tour. I’ll take good care of you. 🙂 Sign up soon – one week is already full and the second is half full already. I don’t want you to miss out.