I have been reading another Emile Gruppe book, this one focusing on brushwork. He painted on the east coast, so many of his example paintings in the book are of the gritty boats and docks of small fishing villages. As per a discussion on the Facebook Plein Air Painters group (please, join us…click here for instructions), his books are out of print, so hard to find–and expensive. We should work out a lending system…or I’m sure there’s a web site out there to manage that, right?
So those Gruppe paintings inspired me to delve into my references photos of boats. I found a couple I’d taken at the San Luis Obispo Plein Air event, and painted one. The photo is terrible as my regular camera is not to be found at the moment, so this is an iPhone photo. I’ll update with a digital scan when it dries. Enjoy!
The Gruppe books are all worth the cash it takes to get them. I’ve got all three Ed, and they are some of my most treasured books on painting.
I like the strong colors in the focal point in this one, and the small boats up front balance the painting nicely.
Hi Ed- A few months ago I found Gruppe’s book on Brushwork in the Library. It is excellent and I hated returning it. I went on a mission to find my own copy and now I have acquired it and his book on Direct Technique in Oil (also wonderful). The book on Color is more elusive (and expensive) see if I can also find that one in the library for now.
Thanks for the tip on Gruppe. I love the color in this one. Having spent some time on docks at dusk, you got it just right. Also, the bold brush strokes are impressive.
fine harmony of light & colour here ed
‘less is more’ restraint of brushwork evolving admirably
paint on