Last Haul Noyo Harbor

About three years ago we were hanging out right at dusk near Noyo harbor. I was concentrating on photographing people fishing and the boats coming in for the night. What struck me most about this image was the lone fisherman on the top near the light and the red lobster traps in the back of the vessel.

Last Haul of The Day 2

Another little painting inspired by my last visit to California. Of course it has fog and sea vessels. I like working from my sketch books and changing up the medium and color scheme. I will use photos on occasion, but I think its easier to capture the feel of a place if you sketch it. I found myself reaching more for my sketchbook than my actual camera during this most recent visit to the Bay area.

Lights In Fog

This scene is from my morning commute. It was a foggy morning in Austin that I wanted to document in pastel. This is West Lynn at 6th street. It can be beautiful in fog.

Sketchbook share.

Dreaming About Floating

This is an image from a working harbor in Fort Bragg, California. I sketch there when I can but often I just take a photo to work from. I made this painting from an image taken on my Ipad and from many visits to this area. Pam says that I over painted this one she has a better eye than me.

Vessel No Name

This is a painting from the Noyo Harbor area of Fort Bragg, California. Ink drawing on site and painted later. I liked the reflections in the water and the background.

Headlands Light

I was on the bridge above the headlands when I did this drawing. Pam was waiting in the car. I was able to get two drawings in before we needed to leave. I added Daniel Smith watercolors later. I think working with sketches done onsite is increasing my memory muscle. I have to recreate the scene and emotion behind the scene when I later add color.

Noyo Night

This little harbor is obviously my latest muse. I'm exploring night scenes too. I love the colors of the night they tend to be more intense. Plus I just bought some new pastels from Terry Ludwig. The most requested violets are just delicious. But I digress. This is watercolor not pastel. I do intend to explore this scene in pastel too.

Guiding Light

The entrance or one of many to Noyo Harbor. The lights that blink are almost hypnotic.

Even Harbor (IP)

I can't say that I'm finished with this one yet as I think it needs to be darker. Not in feeling but in the light.

Floating Workhorses

I really like the character of this little harbor. I still need to sit down and actually paint there. This is one that I worked on at the gallery this weekend. The light is always better there.

Harbor Companions

Another painting of Noyo Harbor. When I get back there I intend to spend at least half a day painting there. The area is so rich with subject matter. This is the first pastel I have painted of that area. I am still using that one photo that has millions of paintings in it.

Above the Vessels

Another little painting of Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, California. I think these two vessels had just unloaded their catch Above these boats were guys trying to put the catch into large containers.

Good Catch

Another scene from Noyo Harbor a place I have to paint en plein air when I visit again. The place is rich with potential paintings and good food.

The Way Out

I paint a lot of stuff related to Fort Bragg, California. Its a very inspirational place. Texas inspires me too but the landscape is too familiar at times. Anyway this is a painting of the Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. I took this photo during my most recent visit. We had just dined at Silvers.

Noyo Harbor 2

The second attempt at simplifying this very busy image. I could blur most of it and just focus on something interesting. That is the beauty of painting on site as opposed to painting from a photo. On my next visit I will definitely spend some time in this area.

Noyo Harbor 1

The hard part about this subject is the amount of material in the scene. The actual source photo had tons of material and subjects. I tried to focus in on a small area for simplification. Noyo Harbor is in Fort Bragg, California. Its an area that has great dining and views of the ocean.