These artist’s notes are copyright to Graham Baker and may not be shared or copied without permission. Any enquiries, please email to grahambaker@gmail.com.

Oil painting on canvas. 48x36 inches. 120cm x 90cm.

Layout: I used an overhead projector, just a few lines initially, to establish the position of the hull, masts and horizon.

Once the sky and the sea was dry I went back to the overhead projector and reset the masts, rigging and as much  detailing for the hull as I could. I made the job a lot harder for myself by not working from a detailed paper layout. I was keen to get on with the fine work and prove to myself I was still capable of detailing accurately with the brush and referring to the copy rather than just drawing every little line.

I started the same way as always, blocking in the shape of the hull and the masts. In fact finding the next largest bit of rigging and putting it in place was the way I progressed through the painting. Tracking the rigging from copy to the canvas was painfully slow at times.

Most paintings of tall ships have them battling a storm or racing along under full sail. Mine was sitting on a flat sea. The crew  were unfurling the sails, just getting under way. I decided to create more interest with my colour choices for the sea and sky. I chose a sunset sky and a cloud formation that would look like a big change in the weather was coming, the light as the sun shone through the clouds gave me the atmosphere I was after, like the peaceful moment of calm, before a storm.

The paintings I believe are most successful are those that are created with plenty of space and suggestivism. This is the artist’s gift to the viewer.

copyright to Graham Baker and may not be shared or copied without permission. Any enquiries, please email to grahambaker@gmail.com.