Troublesome Catch
This small watercolor I worked on during my second day of the Jazz by the Boulevard festival in Fort Worth. The humidity index was off the charts, and I couldn’t keep my sweat off the paper! I was pleased with much of this composition, and actually signed it. But now I’ve changed my mind and will go back into it. I believe the water surface needs more attention, and I’ve never been pleased with the color and value of the fly fisherman. I’m thinking about sanding out portions of him and trying for a lighter re-do. I don’t like how he disappears into the picture, and don’t want to darken him further. Perhaps a more khaki color is needed in the clothing. I’m very pleased with the cloud burst (that was an accident). But I’m dissatisfied with the pair of pastures on the left side of the composition. I think I’ll leave the foliage as it is. This was a quick watercolor sketch, and I think it still has some possibilities.
Thanks for reading.
Tags: Americana, Colorado, drybrush, fly fishing, French Impressionism, nostalgia, rural, trout, watercolor
Recollections 54 The Art of David Tripp 
September 26, 2010 at 9:51 pm |
I rather like the fact that the fisherman blends with his surroundings. I don’t know how artistically sound that is but the way you have painted it puts me in the moment with the fisherman. My attention is on the beauty around and the possibility of a storm brewing in the distance.
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October 4, 2010 at 2:49 pm |
Thanks, Leslie. I still have not gone back to change it, because of your affirmations. I may just leave the fisherman that color. I’m still thinking on it!
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September 27, 2010 at 10:57 am |
Just kidding of course, but I am worried that fly fisherman should be aiming further downstream as I am convinced he will get snagged if he tries again so close to the greenery. Those must be shallows a bit to the right and downstream from where he is standing and he should be careful not to wander to close there as there are likely to be some slippery rocks and he could loose his balance. That current looks pretty swift to me. What do you think?
Pierre
PS Is that a Green Machine he has on the rod?
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October 4, 2010 at 2:51 pm |
Hey Pierre! Help me out–I don’t know what a Green Machine is. As to the danger of where I’m standing, consider me caught! In the photo, I’m standing in the weeds, not in the water. I didn’t like that look, and incidentally I almost always wade fish when I’m after trout in the stream. So, I tried to put me in the water, and am not really satisfied with that look but there it is. As to current, it was quite slow and lazy in real life.
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October 4, 2010 at 11:00 am |
Wow, being a fisherman I love this painting. How do you apply the finer masking lines? Every time I attempt this style, the line are to thick. Can you help me out?
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October 4, 2010 at 2:58 pm |
Hi, Small-Town-Dad! I just stumbled upon the product that you’re asking about (I had cussed for years over the “blobbiness” of Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid). I use the MasquePen that I ordered from Dick Blick. It comes in different sizes (even a micro-knib that reminds me of the crowquill pen-and-ink days!). The fluid is light blue and comes in a squeeze bottle with a steel knib, and a steel needle that inserts into the knib to prevent the fluid from drying and clogging up in the knib). The stuff works great.
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October 5, 2010 at 2:35 pm |
David: Here is a Green Machine salmon fly URL: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvg7RJ7x5FMDYDuTGMnY0soRXW4vExovD6EdjMFK_pzYqdIzE&t=1&usg=__iVO4DrBztidiyVBslK48RO_pnYw=
Green machines hereabouts are what fly fishermen most often use because they seem to be so reliable, specially on the Miramichi river.
Here is one not unlike yours that may be of interest: http://www.atlanticsalmonmuseum.com/sitebuildercontent/sbsimages/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=actual&linkpath=http://www.atlanticsalmonmuseum.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/miramichimorning.jpg&target=tlx_new&title=Miramichi%20Morning
Love your work, David.
Pierre
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October 6, 2010 at 12:07 am |
Thank you, Pierre. I love that Miramichi River painting. Is that one of yours? Watercolor? It’s stunning, and I wish I painted that way. I’m still trying to make the water surface look “right.” I’ve never seen that Green Machine pattern. In this picture, I was using a Copper John, size 12, but it’s certainly not visible. The photograph I’m using has the trout’s head breaking the surface of the water. That’s what I’m trying to get. Also, I noticed that I have yet to finish out the fly rod and my fingers sticking out the ends of my white fingerless gloves. Details that I forgot to do. Later, I guess. Thanks again for the links and for the affirming comments.
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