Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Relaxing by Raritan River

Relaxing by Raritan River
Relaxing by Raritan River, watercolor on paper, July 2012

This Raritan River watercolor was painted last week; the original photograph was taken in the winter, thus the bare trees. I suggest the end result is a bit sketchy, but I liked it enough to show the watercolor to you, my blogging public. I am considering painting an up-close of the two men sitting on chairs (I am guessing they were fishing before relaxing). For ideas for watercolor inspiration of painted figures, I looked at paintings of Edward Hopper and John Singer Sargent. Edward Hopper’s figures were stiff and not depicted as small as the ones I was working on for this painting. John Singer Sargent, on the other hand, is a master of both figure and of watercolor. I can only hope that by more hard work and practice in watercolor I can come close to achieving some of his great skill in depicting landscape, figures and water scenes.

For those of you that may know our local Central New Jersey landscape, the bridge is the one over Route 1. The scene is at the edge of Donaldson Park in Highland Park.

Robin from Israel says

It's wonderful exactly as it is Leora, you have a real gift!

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leoraw says

Thanks, Robin. I love the encouragement.

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Hannah says

I really like it too! It is beautiful and looks very serene.

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leoraw says

Thank you for saying so!

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Rambling Woods says

Oh wow..I really love this one..you are so talented Leora..your heart comes through in every painting..Michelle

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leoraw says

Thank you - so encouraging.

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Carver says

I love this watercolor. You are very talented.

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EG Wow says

Such talent! I'm envious, And I very much like the subject matter.

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Mrs. S. says

Lovely, as always!

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Eileen says

The watercolor is beautiful. I love the scene. Leora, you are very talented. Well done.

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magiceye says

So pretty!!

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Jewaicious says

Oh. My. Gosh. What an amazingly lovely and serene watercolor. I love the tones, love the couple on their chairs, daydreaming the minutes away. This is beautiful on so many levels, from architecture to nature, to a romantic aspect I feel when viewing it.

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Laura says

I love it. I really captures the feeling of this part of the park.

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Kira says

This is almost the view from my porch in the winter (when there are no leaves blocking the view) - minus a bunch of houses, of course

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leoraw says

And I think your daughter was with us the day I took this photo!

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