Here's a sketch of the same general scene as "Preparing the Kayaks". The angle and activity is a little different, but definitely the same time frame. I really enjoy the quick sketches - gesture studies - because I only have a few seconds, or minutes if I'm lucky, to capture something that takes me hours to paint. I'm not nearly as good at drawing as I am at painting, but every time I draw I become a better painter. And every time I take a photograph, I become better at drawing. It's all about learning to see. I have a student who, when I point out a trouble area in her painting will say, "Oh, what was I thinking?" and I often reply with, "It's not about thinking, it's about seeing."
Preparing the Kayaks - finished
As I sat at Netarts Bay sketching and journaling I couldn't help but hear the group of kayakers near me. They obviously hadn't checked the tide charts and had arrived to find a low tide. They spent a good 30 minutes trying to decide if it was worth it, or if they should just go home. It sounded like one was a guide or instructor and the others were of vacation. I so wanted to tell them to just go for it! It may not be the perfect conditions, but they were there, they had their gear, and they may not get the opportunity again. I was so relieved when they finally made the choice to make the best of what they had. By the time they were ready to get in their kayaks I had to go. But I did get a few sketches and photos and now a painting of them preparing the kayaks.
How often do we spend our time trying to decide if the conditions are just right? How right do the conditions need to be? When is it worth it to just take a risk and jump in the water? I think we miss too many opportunities to make great memories when we spend too much time weighing options and not enough time getting wet.
Preparing the Kayaks
I was interrupted during my painting session so I didn't get to finish this in one setting, even with the background already in. But it's a good start. I'm please with the kayaks so far.