Different Approaches to Sketching Boats

I live by the sea so although I’ve never really had a passion for drawing boats, I feel like I need to expand my sketching skills to boats. The only trouble is, they don’t really inspire me. I’m struggling to find my sketching style, but I’ve had a couple of different attempts at Portuguese boats.

Fishing Boat – Ink and Watercolour

Looking through my Feb-Apr 2022 sketchbook I came across a boat I drew from an online photo from Portugal. It was in preparation for our trip to the area, and a way to get excited about moving to the Algarve.

It’s a bit stiff and and the perspective is off. Looking at this has made me realise that:

• If the lines are stiff then there needs to be more of a focus on getting the perspective more accurate.
• If the lines are loose, then you can get away with playing fast and loose with the accuracy of the perspective.

It’s true what they say. There’s no such thing as a bad painting. Even the ones you don’t like, have something to teach you.

Fishing Boat – Loose Watercolour Lines

I much prefer this scrappy little line sketch (with a light wash) than the overworked attempt above. Plus – it took a lot less time to create.

Rowing Boat – Watercolour No Ink

This is a small Portuguese rowing boat that I sketched and painted from a photograph I took. I didn’t do any pen lines which is odd, because I love my ink lines. But I was happy with how this turned out.

I think I was doing Liz Steel’s Foundations course at the time, and one of her approaches is to focus on shapes rather than edges. I like the effect this approach creates, but I just love my ink lines more.