The start of a new project, always exciting – starts out weak, but hopefully will end on a high note.
Sodus Point Lighthouse, (9×12) will be drawn entirely in graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper. The sky and middle cloud bank were worked on today, it’s 1/3 completed with a long ways to go. I’m working to achieve a soft atmosphere for the middle cloud bank as it floats through the scene, while not threatening, it will still play a role as a backdrop to showoff the lighthouse.
Sodus Point, is located in Upstate New York along the shores of Lake Ontario – a place that I know very well. This area is where I grew up and have many great memories of the lake, riding my bike along the waterway to the light house was a favorite pastime. Lake Ontario is a significant body of water stretching 60 miles across directly to Canada, many a boat has been lost on this lake – winds coming down from Canada can be treacherous. So the Sodus Point Lighthouse plays a significant role in guiding many sea worthy vessels to safety.
Next week, the sky will be nearly completed and then starts the body of water. In this scene the water is quite turbulent, as you’ll see once the water becomes built up.
Click onto the image for a larger view – this week there isn’t very much to see, but wait as usually the scene will unfold as it’s built right before your eyes.
Sodus Point Lighthouse, #1
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Very curious to see how you’ll develop it, for sure it will be evocative, a lighthouse near troubles waters 🙂
robert
Thanks Rob! I have some serious work to developing the water tomorrow, stay tuned!
very nice, indeed… ❤ I like lighthouses, too… 🙂
https://myvirtualplayground.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/icelandic-lighthouses-mighty-lords-underneath-the-arctic-circle/
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my very best, tons of inspiration and friendly thoughts, cheers! Mélanie
Thank you so much Melanie, very nice to meet you! I enjoyed your blog post and looking forward to seeing more of your photography.
Yay a lighthouse! Can’t wait to see it unfold. One of my favorite subjects to paint. Have a super week Mary.
Thanks Rhonda, really appreciate it. Lighthouses are fascinating structures and love the stories behind them – I’m looking forward to this new series. Hope you have a great week too!
Love light houses and this one is one promising for sure! Looking forward to see the developing process of it, I know the water and sky is going to be beautiful, you’re amazing with those mediums, so the light house picked my imagination oh this one! I’m I going to see a night scene with the light reflecting from it…
Thanks Eva! I decided to do a short graphite (maybe charcoal) series of lighthouses – there are so many great ones to do. Thought I would do one that was right in my childhood backyard – this scenes happens to have a lot of drama about it. Hope you enjoy the series – have a great week ahead!
Same to you Mary, have a most wonderful week! I’m excited and looking forward to see this series!
Thanks Eva – I’m so behind with my Reader. My husband has retired and it’s a bit of time adjustment for us, me especially with art and the blog – I’ll figure it all out in due time. I’m excited by the series also, I love lighthouses – the test of time, sturdy and strength.
An intriguing new drawing!
Thanks Elena!
Aha, I skipped that paragraph for some reason, Strathmore Vellum paper – I shall have to look that up.
It’s pretty nice paper, although if you want the brightest white, this wouldn’t be it. But I do like the thickness.
This is fascinatingly delicate – what paper are you using, Mary? I just bought myself some graphite pencils after I saw some really intereting drawings of hares done in graphite by a friend, but I haven’t got down to using them much yet. At the moment I am doing some illustrations with coloured pencils and some gouache, using a very fine paintbrush, and seem to be getting the effect I want. But after this project is finished I would like to try using graphite, I like what you are doing with it so far.
Hi Cara, thanks very much. I see above comment that you saw the paper I’m using Strathmore Bristol Vellum – there are two sides to the paper, for this drawing I’m using the textured side (although I rarely use that side) but I wanted the effect more for the turbulent water. For the sky and clouds my technique isn’t the technically correct way to draw (more with tortilium and cotton swabs for a very light and smooth appearance). The rest of the drawing will be the traditional strokes of layering in the graphite. I’m interested in your colored pencils and gouache – sounds fascinating. I’m currently painting a floral and used gouache as the underpainting.
It’s there Mary …. all elusive at the moment … will love seeing your lighthouse appear out of the mist …
Thanks Poppy – I’m keeping my fingers cross that with the dark turbulent waters and pier the lighthouse will take center stage. Thanks so much – I think I’m going to do a series on lighthouses, we have some beautiful ones in Maine that will translate beautifully with graphite. Have a wonderful weekend.
Waiting for it to unfold beautifully Mary… looks like a great beginning… 🙂
Thank you so much Maniparna – stay tuned. Have a lovely weekend.
A very beautiful beginning! We are waiting… 🙂
Have a great weekend, Mary!
Thank you Amy – such a lovely comment! Hope you have a lovely weekend too.
Same to you, Mary :). Hope the weather is good for you guys. ❤
Cheers to a new beginning [it’s a New Moon tomorrow as well – perfect for new beginnings! 😉 ]xx
Thank you Marina so much. Talk about new, my husband retired this week and that is a new beginning of sorts for us ~ so the new moon is totally spot-on! Hope you are well, have a beautiful weekend.
Cheers to better things! 🙂
Thank you – will work on a new eb n’ flow.
Miss Mary
Many of the best things start out weak, it just means they have room to grow
Big Hugs
uncle john
Thank you Uncle John, I’m hoping the fierce winds will show the true nature of the scene once completed.
I have a good feeling about this one…. 🙂
Thanks Dorann!
Looking forward to watching the scene unfold! I wonder if memories will keep coming to you as you draw this and remember your childhood?
Thanks Geralyn! I’m sure to think back all those years ago – will be a very soothing drawing to undertake.
Actually, that looks like a very strong beginning. It actually excites me to see how this is going to turn out! New subject matter…..I like it!
Thanks A! Hopefully the deep, turbulent water will make a strong showing in this drawing.
I really love lighthouses, so will be really interested to see how this unfolds. Looking good so far. 🙂
Me too.
Thanks Gallivanta!
Thanks Sylvia – it’s a beautiful spot on Lake Ontario. With the iconic storms they have in the area, this lighthouse gets quite a beating.
Oh…I love the installment post, Mary. 🙂 I can’t wait to see the next one.
Thanks Jill!
Beautiful beginning!
Thank you Carol!