Or how to DRAW A BOAT FROM A FIGURE 8. Thanks to Maureen for making us aware of this tidbit. Drawing boats has always been difficult for me and this is an unbelievably easy way to get them on paper!
But first, a tale of two stories. We played a fun game last week in Spain. The idea was for everyone to tell two stories – one should be true and the other a lie. I thought you might enjoy participating, so here are two stories. Read them and see which one might be true. If you don’t have the time, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LESSON.
Story One: Duck! Its A Machete!
Some of our group was walking around Barcelona enjoying the sights when we hear a strange noise possibly coming from around the next corner. Barooooom, zzzzzzzz, zzzzzt. Zing. A very unusual… grinding. Curious, we followed the sound.
Sure enough, just around the bend we spy a man and his motorcycle. But it’s what he was doing with the back end of his motorcycle that captured our attention. He had the seat flipped up somehow and in its place was a rather large grinding wheel upon which he was sharpening knives. I kid you not. BIG KNIVES, maybe a foot long or more.
So, what does a group of artists in another country normally do in a situation like this? Well, they whip out their cameras and start shooting. Unfortunately, he spotted us and I guess he has no appreciation for the paparazzi, because he ran right at us, SHOUTING AND WAVING HIS OOBERLY LONG MACHETE!
We barely escaped by the skin of our teeth. It makes me quiver this very moment to just think about it.
Story Two: The Really Cool Blue Bottle
The very first evening on the Costa del Sol, we were treated to a fabulous meal at a local restaurant. We ordered wine and agua (water). We were well on our way to enjoying our wine and looking forward to the first course when all hell broke loose. The waiter, you see, delivered our water to the table and it was enclosed in a beautiful SQUARE BLUE BOTTLE, with an embossed emblem on the front. The likes of which we had never seen before.
All of us had the same thought at the same time…”I want that bottle”! We ALL wanted a bottle, but there was only one. And so began a long saga of bargaining with the non English speaking waiter to bring us 7 additional bottles. To make a long story short, we ended up with our bottles and have since photographed it on tables, with wine, in the sunlight, empty, with liquid and oh so many other ways. Now all we must do is figure out how to get them packed into our luggage.
There are the two stories. You think about it and decide which you think is true. Be aware that SOME of the false story can be true. Just not all of it. After all, isn’t that what makes a good lie?
SINCE I HAVE A LESSON TO SHARE WITH YOU, I CANT TALK ABOUT La Finca today, so I’m planning on sending another post tomorrow…with the reveal about which story is true AND ALSO A BIT ABOUT La Finca!
The Easy Way to Draw a Boat. Use a Figure Eight!
I’m going to blame the fact that boats are a difficult subject for me on the fact that I’m from the Midwest. You don’t see many boats in those corn fields. Anyway, here is an easy way to draw boats. Even I can do it!
I’ve done these step by step drawings for you, but please remember I’m doing this from Spain, so not able to use fancy software. I hope you’ll be able to read my writing.
STEP ONE:
Draw a figure Eight on its side.
STEP TWO:
Find the highest point of the figure eight and this will be the front of the boat. Your tendency may be to use the actual front of the eight, but that’s not correct!
Draw the front postie thing of the front of the boat. (See, I told you I don’t know much about boats).
Also, draw the short line down from the Eight for the back of the boat.
STEP THREE:
Now erase the bottom section of the Eight…the part that goes down over the front of the boat . That part is unneeded and can be erased.
STEP FOUR:
Now, draw the short line from the top of the figure eight at the postie thing downward, to form the front of the boat as shown in this photo.
Draw the bottom of the boat, too.
And, if the back line needs a bit of adjusting, do it!
That’s it! It’s rather amazing. But actually, everything has a ‘basic’ shape: cube, square, triangle, etc. So, when something is difficult for you to draw you can begin by drawing its BASIC SHAPE, then just changing the line here and there a bit like we’ve done with the boat.
I must say goodbye for today. More painting in this warm, sunny afternoon while the sun shines. I HOPE to write more tomorrow.
Thanks so much for reading!
Kathie
Now that is a great tip !!!! Have so much fun on your adventure… Your making our decision hard on which trip we want hmmm … Looking forward to info on Italy …take care oh I would first say the blue bottle story is true but with a group of painters the mad cycle guy could take the prize ,.,.
What a great lesson!!! Thanks, Kathie!
Brilliant tip ! I m at the beach this week and I brought my water colors so I’m going to try painting a boat!!! I think the blue bottle story is true!
Wow, This is really a great tip. Gonna paint a boat!!!
Love this figure 8 tip!! I will give it a try!
I do hope the blue bottle story is true…and I want to know how they made it home:)
Looking forward to Hearing more about Italy 2015 too!!
Thank you!
Kathryn
How generous of you to take time to send out regular posts telling of your adventures and giving little lessons to your painting friends. Seeing a post from you brightens my day…thank you Kathie!
Sounds like you are having a great time! I want the blue bottle, too. Thanks for the lesson on drawing a boat. It’s amazing. I always look forward to reading your posts. Now off to draw a boat!
Kathie this has been such a great adventure for your group. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I WANT TO GO SOON TOO. Real soon. Oh I truly believe the blue bottle story, I want the bottle too. Have fun , stay happy and healthy. Love to u all.
Thanks for the stories and the great tip! I am trying to learn how to draw…VERY helpful!
That is amazing! I’m going to have to try this! Thanks for sharing Kathy!
Great tip!!! Thanks so much.
That is a fantastic tip, Kathy! Thanks for sharing….I will now look at boats in a different light!
Thank you for a great way to draw boats. Grew up with them in FL. Looking forward to painting our sailboat we had. Glad you are having so much fun. xoxo
I so much appreciate the lessons! When I pick up a drawing book, I get bored pretty fast. Thank you!
Thanks so much for your comments. At the moment I’m standing outside to access a spot of wifi. It’s warm and starry. Karen, TXS so much for the beautiful sarong you sent me. It’s been a god send. Xo
Ahhh, Kathie! Fabulous…what a great tip. These are things that get me excited to try new ideas in my paintings; I can certainly add one of these to my seashore work. Thanks very much.
Hmm – which story is true? I’m going to say the motorcycle guy is true. I can believe that you ALL wanted the square blue bottle, but I do not believe you all got one! So there it is……. ;0)
My vote: knife man – true. Blue bottle – false
Thanks for the boating tip
A really good tip…all my years on a sailboat, and never learned how to draw about right! Thank you! HUG, Judy
Wow. Wonder why I was making it so difficult to draw boats. Thanks for sharing this easy method.
I liked both stories and can believe both are true. Always fun to experience and share adventures.
Thanks for the tips and for letting us travel along in your journey.
What a wonderful tip! I always enjoy Tuesdays more because of you. Thanks Kathie!!!
Great tip! Glad you are having a great trip!
I’m a bit new on the block, but love your webpage and comments by your students. The figure 8 boat is amazing! I think the blue bottle story is true.
who knew – a figure 8 could be a boat – now what number would be a yacht (he-he). Thanks. Can’t wait to try this.
Thanks for sharing this lesson. I so look forward to Tuesdays and what you share. Somehow you don’t seem so far away.
Thanks again Kathie for more of your wonderful tips. And sharing your many adventures with us. I too think the blue bottle is the true story. Its so cool of you to take us along on your trips through your stories.
Thanks so much for you Tuesday tips, I look forward to them each week.
Have missed reading about you and your adventures. What a great tip about the figure eight boat. Have the best time ever in Spain. Someday, someday soon I hope, I too, shall travel and paint beautiful paintings. Meanwhile, I will stay right here in East Tennessee and paint beautiful paintings. With tips from a great teacher.
I am loving the idea of geometric shapes, I have done this and it has definitely helped me “see” the shape in a different context. I love the figure 8 and will try tonight. Was looking for a painting idea and here it is, thanks so much, safe travels.
Thank you so much for this neat tip!
Will definitely use it.
Isabelle
THAT IS AMAZING! Now I have to try it. What magic can you do with other numbers, Kathie?????!!!!!