In working through this project, I found myself leaning into my nautral tendency toward naturalist realism. While folloiwng the overall structure and process of the class, I focused on developing a stronger sense of spatial depth and material character, particulary in the landscape and aging surface of the boat.

Looking back, I can see that if I had allowed background elements to recede just a bit more, the focal strength of the boat might have increased even further. This is an ongoing balance in my own work, maintaining believable structure while still allowing atmospheric softness to support the main subject.

For the boat, I chose to use Quin Burnt Scarlet and Lunar Earth, which created a rich, weatered surface. I am always experimenting within what is probably an overly large color palette and love discovering new color combinations this way. In hindsight, I might explore slightly different color relationships in future paitnings to better integrate the hull with its surrounding environment. That said, I turly enjoyed working with this palette. 

I also incorporated some personal favorite pigments including Green Apatite (which Carrie clearly enjoys as well), Terre Verte mixed with Sodalite Genuine, one of my all-time favorites, along with Quin Gold to build the marsh tones and subtle temperature shifts.

One of my most memorable and enjoyable moments of the class was Carrie's wonderfully descriptive phrase "hickably, pickably" when referring to the grasses. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout the day. 

Thank you Carrie for a fun and engaging day spent painting with you!  ❤️