Sails up in harbour

Sails up in harbour

Glorious weather again today, and a day away from the oil paints. I had the luxury of three hours 'waiting time' in Paimpol which I was happy to turn into sketching time at the harbour.
This is my fourth and final drawing of the same scene, and by this one I felt I was getting somewhere!
I was elated when the red sail was raised on that boat, do you know that? Just elated!
I would have completely missed that if I hadn't been sat there sketching. Stopped and watching and waiting. Absorbing the sights and sounds. Every time you snap a quick photo of a scene and move on you miss so much.
Also it was a lesson in perseverance. I struggled throughout the series of sketches and each one got better and closer.
And I feel a studio painting coming on!

If you are on twitter, you can find me there as @HaideeJoSummers
I am posting a drawing every day in August, along with many other people who are #drawingaugust. Today I posted all four!

And after all that sketching and two boules of ice cream I picked up my good friend Lori Putnam from the train station, and I'm very excited to show her the island and be able to paint together over the coming few days :-)

Heading back from Carrabelle

Afternoon light at the marina, Mexico beach 

This morning we left Carrabelle early and spotted a fabulous scene to paint in Eastpoint, of men on their oyster boats. I'll look forward to showing you that one another day, it was a challenge but really enjoyed it.
After a late breakfast I painted a produce stall by the side of the road near Apalachicola (and the vendor and a dog which keeps him company).
I really enjoyed it, absolutely loved the subject and had lots of passers by stopping to chat.
I didn't get it finished though with having only limited time, careful 'drawing in' stage and lots of chatting, so my big plan for tomorrow is to go back.
We then returned to Mexico beach for our painting demo afternoon where I painted this one at the Marina. I was attracted to the bright reflections of the boats and also the clouds.