Snowy Dock

By the Blue Point Dock there is a small park with a view of the bay. Not only was there snow, but a good part of the Great South Bay was frozen due to a week of very cold temperatures. The gulls were just sitting way out on the ice. Here the dock area had a little area that was clear of ice, but I don't know how long that will last.

Dock View

The other day was sunny and seemed to be warm, so I headed over to Corey Beach. There was a breeze so it was a bit chilly...but I had my fleece jacket just in case. This is the view of the Blue Point Dock from the beach there.

Just an update. I found out that the other shingle painting I did for the fundraiser at the Long Island Maritime Museum sold. I am glad that both of my paintings sold and the funds are going to such a great local place.

Blue Point Dock

This was sketched on a dismal drizzly day down at the Blue Point Dock.

This dock was replaced after Hurricane Sandy demolished the old one.

Blue Point Sunsets

The Patchogue Sketch Club met at the end of Blue Point Avenue at the dock to sketch on Wednesday evening. We moved up the sketching time from 6:30 to 6 because it is getting darker earlier. Sigh!

I sketched a view of the beach there from the dock.

Then I did a few more ATC sunrises. I have about 13 of them done this summer...maybe I can do a series of them. For these I tape them to a board with some double sided tape and paint with a regular brush, not my waterbrush. The waterbrush makes the paper much too wet. As it is it doesn't dry fast enough. As soon as I get one nearly done I move to the next one, until I have 3 going at once. Then I can move back and forth between them. The foreground is never dry enough when I want to paint it so I usually darken it when I get home and the paper is dry.

Assorted Sketches

Even when the weather isn't good, I try to get outside to at least do a sketch. This was done down at the Blue Point dock from my car because it was spritizing (not good for watercolors or ink). At this time of year there are always people fishing and crabbing...often with their children. This was done in my Stillman & Birn Alpha Sketchbook with lovely ink that bleeds.

When the weather is good...I try to get down to the beach for at least a few hours. There are always willing subjects standing and sitting around. These next three were all done at Smith Point Beach.

Sometimes I'm close enough to sketch a tiny toddler who may or may not stay put long enough for me to do a sketch. This little lady stayed put for most of the time. I'm still working on a blend to use for skin tones...and they are even harder on children. I try to not be obvious that I'm looking so the parents don't get nervous that I'm watching their child. lol I rarely have anyone notice that I'm sketching them or someone they are with.

And the hardest subject of all at the beach are the gulls. If they come close enough some kids usually chase them.