Steveston's Grand Prix of Art Challenge

This past weekend the race to finish a painting to capture the natural beauty and Steveston's historic sites had over 100 participants. 

I was really pleased with my draw of the location for my scene, a beautiful view of the river and boats with some fall colours starting to turn the cottonwoods across the river.

 I had thought this view wouldn't be too different with the lighting change for the duration of the 3 hours we had to paint. What I forgot to think ahead on though was the raising tide and this had tricked me in the end by the shifting the placement of the docks and boats against my original placement. The shadows did some changing and the boats and their facing shade sides deepened in value but the shift with the tide created a drawing adjustment I seemed unable to chase down. Like chasing the sun one shouldn't try to chase shifting docks.

I tried mostly to maintain some defining shapes to the cluster of boats but I think I should have just simplified the whole scene. I used the full 3 hours but had lots of time to relax into my process and step away for short breaks. Beautiful glorious sunning day, it was a joy to be out there despite some small frustrations and anxious moments of the challenge.