Maine Lighthouse

Hi Thea, as I have commented before, just love the simplicity of your paintings, they may not be as detailed as my work, but they are so light of touch. Incidentally I feel your technique for the rocks is great, they certainly aren't flat and the mixture of colour wash over the whole area is a lovely translucent way to capture texture.

I thought that for once I might be the first to comment but no, Peter got there before and said it all. This is a most beautiful, simple pen and wash painting. I love it!

I think this is very nice Thea, the rocks do work very well.

Thank you very much Peter, Satu and Stephen for your positive feedback. This is just the start for me of painting in a bit of a different way, so I really appreciate the encouragement that your nice words give me.

Very nice pen and wash Thea. I agree with Peter, I also like the way that you've painted the rocks, the wash of colour over them works really well. I spy some birds in the sky which bring the whole painting to life by adding movement! Well done.

Can't add anymore than has already been stated. Lovely pen and wash.

A complete success Thea! I love the rocks with the blended washes.

I agreee with all of the above Thea, those rocks work brilliantly.

Thank you very much Louise, Glennis, Fiona and Val for all your encouraging comments. The birds did appear, as you can see Louise!!

Yes a lovely image, if you hadn't mentioned the rocks I wouldn't have said they look too smooth, and probably the sky is a tad too dark around the top of the lighthouse? Fussy aren't I?

This works really well Thea and for someone who was 'just putting a toe in the water' looks to me as if you've jumped in and are swimming along nicely!

Thank you very much, Debs, for those kind words. I definitely am still very much a toe dipper but appreciate the compliment. James, thank you for your comment. I don't quite understand your observations totally, but perhaps if I explain a little about my reference photo it might clarify things. In the photo, the rocks were not like the ones we get in England (granite, jagged and often spiky) - they were very smooth and regular and had a surface a bit like the polished round pebbles you get on the beach, but obviously much larger. It was partly how different these rocks were that attracted me to the photo in the first place. As for the sky, in the reference photo the sky was very pale and flat and the white lighthouse hardly showed up. The only way to go in my mind was to show clearly which side the of the lighthouse the light was coming from and darken to sky to add drama to the white of the building. Painting is all about decisions I find as I rarely paint anything exactly how it is in the reference, so I end up going with my gut feeling, rightly or wrongly. Anyway, that hopefully explains how the rocks and sky ended up looking like they do.

I like it.

Hmmm, there many words I could use to describe your paintings, Thea, but inept is definitely not one of them! It's a superb piece - the lines are beautifully simple yet well laid. And your rocks definitely look like rocks - I love the way that a few simple lines and washes keep the rocks in a supporting role, yet lend richness in their contrasting shades. Beautifully done, Thea!

Another lovely lighthouse Thea, can't see that you had any difficulty with this. A great pen & wash.

These rocks are wonderful Thea! Great colours and shapes and all the better for not looking exactly like the rocks that are actually there - you can get those in a photograph!

Although opening the POL site every day to have a look but not posting (work or comments) because I am painting some entries for 2 competitions, you made me log in, Thea. Your pen and washes are fabulous!!!! Those are not "attempts", they are real beauties. All the above comments are right and I am sure, you will be in the top ten this month! :) Mia

Thank you so much Pat, Seok,Carole, Jane and Mia for such generous and lovely comments. I am enjoying trying pen and wash a lot more than I thought I would and am now attempting a very complicated one of Venice - not sure I will pull it off.

It's all been said. Also, Mia, I am pleased you are still able to do your art and are pacing yourself.

forgive me pedantic comment Thea - However it does look like the chip pan has caught fire at the top of the lighthouse IMHO - I do love your rocks :-)

This really looks a fresh and bright seaside painting. To my eye it has just the right amount of colour.

Thank you for your continuing input, James. Never having seen a chip pan on fire I am not in a position to comment but I am sure it would be an interesting subject for a still life painting. Thank you very much, Guy, that is very kind of you.

Wow, a new departure Thea?! I've been 'offline' for some time - many commitments and trying to work hard with my painting. I look forward to seeing my POL friends' stuff.

Beautiful Thea.

Hello Kim, nice to hear from you again after a long absence. Thank you for stopping by for a look. Thank you, Denise, it is nice of you to leave a comment.

Love it ! The rocks are styalised and work very well.

Thank you very much, Avril, especially for liking the rocks!

Thea...Thank you for your recent kind comments. I have been looking at your paintings with pen 'added' and love the delicate, almost hesitant enhancement of the pen work which adds so much to your highly individual watercolour style. Love it. See you soon I hope.

Great work Thea!!

Hi Thea, I like the simplicity of your paintings, there's so much transparency and light in your washes. I think you are at your best when using the pen and wash technique.