I just finished teaching aboard the lovely and gracious American Eagle, now in her third year under Captain Tyler King. It was a week filled with painting discovery, adventure and great food (did I mention lobster?) and my students all progressed by leaps and bounds.
I had time to whip off these two fast watercolors on Yupo. No, they’re not for sale but I thought you’d enjoy seeing them.
These were painted with genuine Gulf of Maine seawater, which is my standard practice whenever possible. It creates granulation patterns and it’s often easier than lugging a jug of freshwater around. However, I don’t activate my paint with saltwater, because it seems to break down the binder. And it’s important to rinse my brushes with freshwater when I get home.
I haven’t been back to Castine since my friend Harry’s memorial service, and I was hesitant to go ashore. “All my friends are dead,” I told Tyler in the most self-pitying voice I could muster.
I’m glad we went, because it was an opportunity for my students to practice perspective drawing. Every artist should understand two-point perspective, and then never use it again. Understanding it prevents many gaffes, not just in buildings, but in the sky as well. (Clouds follow the same perspective rules as everything else )
“I’m cured!” I announced when I climbed back aboard. I was being melodramatic, but it’s true that I was reminded of just how much I love Castine.
I have one more workshop this fall, an intensive that includes figure in the landscape and a trip to the Farnsworth. (While I normally include links in the text, I’m tapping this out on my phone.)
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace: