BOAT PEOPLE – ACRYLIC PAINTING

I was thinking about entering the marine artists exhibition in London. I had a couple of suitable paintings but wanted something a little different so that I could judge what it is that they are looking for a bit better and worked up this idea. Now that it’s complete I’m a little underwhelmed by it. I have got tighter than I would have liked. I’ll prop it against the wall and have a look at it over the next week or so  and make my mind up. I have used motifs that I have used as subjects before, in case you are wondering whether you’ve already seen it.

Other marine paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

TIPPING POINT – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

I was going to do this as a mixed media piece with pastels, similar to an earlier one of waves I did, but as I started painting I wondered whether it could be all done in watercolour, so this is the result. Using pastels allows a more gestural approach with the mark making which I suppose is more reflective of the restlessness of the sea, so I am wondering if this is a little static. I’ll ponder a little further.

Other seascapes and landscapes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

THE END OF A WINTER’S DAY ON BIRKDALE BEACH – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

I am getting together for another exhibition of local landscapes which feature the land between the Mersey and Ribble Estuaries. Here is one I’ve just done of the local beach,  where to many of the locals’ dismay, the marram grass is taking over. As it grows it traps windblown sand creating little islands amid the residual tidal water. It is rather ironic that where they let the cars on the beach, much to the irritation of others, the plant cant get a foothold and the flat sands stretch out seemingly forever. I must say I like this variation of the beach.

Other landscapes are available on my website grahammcquadefineart.com

THE PATH TO THE BEACH – WATERCOLOUR PAINTING

There was almost as much paint removal as actual painting in this one as I tried to  get the dark textures in the foreground. I added some figures at the end which do draw the eye through. I loved the dark shade leading out into the bright light.

Other coastal and seaside paintings are available for sale on my blog: grahammcquadefineart.com

SETTING SAILS – ACRYLIC PAINTING

I’ve been a bit busy this week with an exhibition running and another starting next week, I suddenly realised my blog needs a new posting. So here it is, continuing with the beach theme. A bit more colourist than my normal fair, but I suppose I need to  relieve the muted tones occasionally, just in the name of variety.

Other  paintings are available for Christmas presents on my website: grahammcquadefinearts.com

BEACHCOMBING – ACRYLIC PAINTING

Back to the beach series. I am quite pleased with this, well at least I am today. I rearranged the position and adjusted the pose of the two figures on the right, but other than that this is  how it was. I might add a wash of white over the background to give it a haze effect. We’ll see tomorrow.

Other beach scenes are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com

GONE FISHING WITH THE BOYS – ACRYLIC PAINTING

In my early teens there was an army surplus store called Malcom Mitchell’s  in my hometown where you could buy anything from large petrol cans to great coats and army boots. Everything was piled up to about ten feet high on either side of the shop, with a corridor running down the middle. If you wanted some boots a finger would be waived vaguely in a certain direction and you would scale the mound to find what you were after.

Occasionally, you would arrive to find the shop shut. A notice in the door stated: Gone Fishing with the Boys.

When we were in Brittany recently we were looking for the footpath and, taking a wrong turn, stumbled across these guys fishing on the rocks. I suddenly remembered the old shop and notice.  Ironically I needed the army boots to wear when digging lugworms to sell to the fishing shop for pocket money.

When I saw this scene I was taken by its energy, with the angular  rocks and restless sea along with the busy industry of the guys enjoying their pastime in the early morning sunshine.

Other paintings are available for sale on my website: grahammcquadefineart.com