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11/16/11

Day Sixteen

A Simplified View Along the Shoreline
11 X 15 Watercolor

When I did this painting, I kept in mind my reason for painting it.  It wasn't to render the cottage in detail, but to show the color of the cottage and the way it sets along the shoreline of the lake.  There was another cottage to the left that I had put in the sketch, but it really didn't add anything to the composition.  The simpler, the better.

If this had been a commission, it would have been another story.  I would have paid attention to the detail of the red cottage, and I would have done the setting differently.  In other words, I would have shown a bit of the cottage next door to give the red cottage a sense of place in the "neighborhood".

We had some snow and sleet late this afternoon  -  enough to stick on the rooftops.  It may still be there, but I'm not looking.  It's almost Thanksgiving, which means it will start snowing seriously any day now.  That's okay  -  we don't have hurricanes, earthquakes, floods .   .   .    A couple of years ago I did some winter landscapes.  That was fun.  Maybe I'll do some this year.  No, I don't do them on location.  I've said it before  -  I'm all about comfort.

7 comments:

  1. beautiful landscape. I like that you simplified it. it feels inviting. take care, Diana

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  2. Thanks Diana. It is a very inviting place. I love to sketch and paint here.

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  3. Anonymous8:32 PM

    beautiful, wish I was there on that lake today,, we had a blizzard today,

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  4. Laurie - that must have been the southern edge of your storm that we had a little bit of late this afternoon.

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  5. I agree, Catherine, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc., give no warning. I kind of enjoy getting prepared for the snow. It's reassuring. Have a good Thanksgiving!

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  6. This is a very beautiful scene. I like all of the variations in colors, especially the greens, that you've captured. I get a real sense of the effects of light and shadows on the scene too.

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  7. Sally - wishing you a good thanksgiving too!

    Claire - thank you! It is a very peaceful place and I was feeling that when I painted it.

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