You don’t have to sail the high seas to appreciate water vessels. Some build them, some admire them at the marina, while others enjoy taking them out on adventures near and far. Not me. I found boats (specifically the sailboat) to be inspirational for my ongoing self-taught watercolor journey.

Interestingly enough, I’ve yet to step foot on a sailboat.

It all started with a daily challenge in September 2020, to paint a subject without looking at a reference picture. A sailboat was selected. I pictured one on the high seas, the sail billowing out like freshly laundered sheets. However, my paintbrush had a different story to tell. I would end up labeling my interpretation a dinghy…at best.

Immediately I launched a redo because surely I could access the image of a sailboat and communicate that to my paintbrush. Can’t I? Unfortunately, even with an attentive focus on Sailboat 2.0, my attempt led to a similar result and subsequent paper ripping. This in and of itself is strictly against my own painting policy. 

Officially docking the sailboat 

Two months later I took another approach and added fine lines to guide me in the process. As you can see below, my paintbrush still didn’t get the clear message: Sailboat on the high seas with a big billowing sail, please.

Words of wisdom arrived from my cousin, Aaron, and fellow challenge painter, “Alright, Lori, enough of this…look up a reference photo for the boat you see in your head and do your best to paint one like it.” Good advice. Below is the inspirational picture (on the left) and improved version of my sailboat (on the right).

Fast forward two years

A dear friend (who knows the boat back story) gifted me the 1962 booklet on How to Paint a Boat. With unconditional support, her how-to selection was meant to further my understanding of boat structure, reflection in seascapes, as well as wave and cloud formations. This was the complete guide…exactly what I needed.

Today I see my sailboat, very close to the one I imagined in my head long ago. I see the progress I’ve made and how far I’ve come with having a daily practice. With a little more paint to paper, I may be able to differentiate between a Schooner, a Cruising Yawl, Bermudian Ketch, and Rigged Cutter. 

But, for now, I’ll settle on simply painting another sailboat.