“It is wonderful how much depends upon the relations of black and white … A black and white, if properly balanced, suggests colour. ” – Winslow Homer
Cove View, a charcoal/graphite drawing (8×10) was produced on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper. It was my intention to have the cliff-side stand alone, dark and nondescript (except for the walkway, a special trail area to absorb the ocean and cove view) so charcoal was my go-to for that aspect of this drawing. The clouded, sunlit sky and water on the other hand are what brings magic to the scene – it called for graphite (the reflective sister) to do its thing. Winslow knew the secret to black and white art, no matter the media – there is a certain magic that comes from the contrast these two create.
We came upon this scene during a trip to the Maine coast – it is a walking trail connected to Fort Williams – Portland Headlight State Park.
Thank you for visiting – hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Please don’t take my images – my art is copyrighted.
Please don’t copy or use the image without receiving my permission first – see disclosure on the right panel.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Very nice post
Thank you so much Maxima for your visit!
This piece really does suggest colour. I had to study it to see if you used a “blue” grey in some places or “yellow” in others. I had just read it was black and white, but still I needed to be sure.
Like a previous commenter said, I like how the sky meets the water here.
Hi Ruth, thanks very much for your “colorful” view of the sea cove – very cool that the colors revealed themselves even though there is only B&W. It was a great scene to see in person and also to develop on paper. Have a great week!
This is brilliant, Mary.
Hi Excellence – thank you for your kind response to the drawing, it is really appreciated!
This is brilliant, Mary.
Thank you so much Chris, means a lot and is appreciated! Nice to meet you ~
Good morning Mary….another masterpiece…..and I do agree black and white used well is highly evocative and filled with colour and form. As you know i have received returned from Portugal and so am still in the throws of catching up….although I don’t think we ever really catch up in Life 🙂 So good to see your beautiful work, and look forward to seeing more. Enjoy the weekend…Janet
Hi Janet, welcome home and so good to see you. Looking forward to reading all about your trip and knowing you, there will be some beautiful paintings coming our way! Thank you for your warm comment, you are so nice – it is always appreciated to receive your words of encouragement. Have a wonderful week ahead!
You are most welcome…I love seeing your work…janet 🙂
Thank you so much Janet, you know how to make my day! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Same to you dear Mary…just enjoyed your beautiful new image…..such wonderful work. Janet 🙂
Thank you for always encouraging and supporting my work. You are my inspiration!
I like the way the cloud meets the sea.
Thanks Fiona – glad you enjoyed the scene!
my new FAVORITE Mary!!!! oh my gosh, this is magnificent. LOVE it. exquisitely well done 🙂
Hi Debi, thanks so much for your generous comment and response to this drawing – I can’t tell you how much that means to me. This place is a beautiful spot over looking the cove area – ships out at sea pass by this area as they head into the Portland Maine harbor. Thank you again – hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
🙂 you too Mary!
WOWEE!! You never cease to impress, Mary! 😀 I’m so glad you’re making art!!
Thank you for being so generous in your response – I’m glad you enjoyed this one!!
Oh, that is just beautiful. You can pack so much color and life with your drawings, even if they are in black and white. 🙂
So cool you read closely and saw the color – here is to you with the color of life! Thank you Victo for taking time to visit and commenting – means a lot and is always appreciated!
Black and white can transmit emotions as your drawing demonstrates! And the Maine Coast seems to be beautiful, maybe one day…
robert
Thank you so much Robert! There is no question that you guys would fall in love with the Maine – from the rugged rocky coastline, to the wild sea, idyllic little towns, and beautiful woods that grace the State. It’s a place that you’d cherish, can only imagine that gorgeous shots you’d take with your camera.
What a very interesting quote, Mary! And yes, I can ‘see’ the colour in your lovely interpretation. 🙂 🙂 Have a happy weekend!
Glad you liked the quote Jo and I’m hoping that it rings true. Thank you so much for your reaction to the “colour” in this drawing ~ have a great weekend!
This is a very beautiful, detailed work. It has a tangible atmosphere to it.
Thank you Ben for your kind feedback and artistic eye to the scene – much appreciated!
You proved the quote with this splendidly dynamic work
Love your description Derrick, thanks very much!
beautiful and amazing – rich
Thank you Mihrank for being so generous!
Gorgeous!
Thanks Holly – glad you enjoyed!
always!
Look at your beautiful drawing, I feel like I was there watching and enjoying the cliff and ocean… Thank you, Mary!
Such a compliment Amy, thank you so much! It’s a gorgeous area that I know you would capture some awesome photographs with your lens.
I love these scenes you’ve recreated from your trip, Mary. This is absolutely stunning! I feel as though I’m on top of that path looking down at the sea. Excellent!
Love your response to the drawing Jill – it’s a great compliment to receive. Especially when a scene can take a viewer there for a moment in time and lets them get lost in the views. This place in Maine is very special and can do just that.
I love your charcoal works! Especially this one. Great job!
Thank you Harrison – that means a lot and is appreciated. Charcoal is messy and fun to work with. Your drawings are wonderful and shows your patience and skill for details, I’ve enjoyed looking at your work.
I struggle with charcoal. I should do more 🙂 Thank you!
It does challenge, especially detailed work – it’s not only possible but some amazing pieces have been done by the old masters in portraits (Sargent), landscapes and still lifes. Hope you enjoy trying them out again ~
Photorealistic!
Thank you – much appreciated!
A beautiful image, Mary! I love your work. Yes, B&W may suggest color. Full color may turn out B&W, depending on many parameters. In ways, this image could be either. Wonderful!
Hi Resa, thanks so much – you so get it!! This was a great scene to work out in B&W, a lot to work with from texture to tones. Have a great weekend!
Mary, you have created such a lovely drawing, and your mastery of graphite and charcoal is unrivaled, in my opinion. Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much Hien for your kind and generous compliment – I really appreciate it. I hope you have a great weekend too!
Mary this is a beautifully rendered scene. I want to walk on that path!
Thanks so much Susan, it’s a wonderful place – you’d be inspired no doubt to paint one of your beautiful watercolors.
I know I would!
In fact, I have a picture of Portland Headlight with the same view as you captured 🙂
Beautiful it is…brought back memories of my tour!
Hi Alok, thank you so much for your feedback – it’s a real compliment when one of my pieces brings back memories for a viewer. Very cool that you recognized and also have the same shot – isn’t it a gorgeous area!! This is a special place that we were fortunate enough to live by when we lived in Maine. So glad you enjoyed the drawing ~
Happy to learn about your past.
Thank you. I loved this work!
Thank you too Alok!