Week 113

Nickle, Naples, King’s blue and their friends sat expectantly on our palette chatting excitedly. I had our setup all ready. Then, Laert suggested we try using the Zorn palette. This is the historical/traditional palette used by many artists over the centuries. It consists of yellow ocher, French ultramarine, cadmium red, black and white. So I scraped the vibrant paints off for later and filled it with that classic, limited set of pigments.

And....These paints are so moody! At first they resisted, but gave in as they blended into gorgeous subtle tones. It was fun to play with these colors, and as with any limited palette, easier mentally, naturally cohesive and with this one, timelessly beautiful. Our under painting is a collection of mossy Venetian greens. Together, this summer evening is given its moody, breathless calm. Seasoned trawlers sigh and give content tugs at their moorings. I feel the night coming. How it slowly, soundlessly invades the shadows, deepening the darkness already there, barely perceptible yet still wholly palpable. It is a blanket of deep calm and spreading satisfaction. 

Tarpon Springs Trawler

40” x 30” | Oil on Panel