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Steamship at St Kilda 2
Uploaded by
Donald E. Meek
, Feb 11 2011 10:36 AM
- Owner: Donald E. Meek (View all images and albums)
- Uploaded: Feb 11 2011 10:36 AM
- Views: 1,247
- Category: Donald E. Meek's Gallery
I have 'worked up' this painting a little further. Can you spot the differences? I've added more 'edge' into the cliffs of Dun, put a 'surf line' below (which has the effect of pushing the island out further), softened the sea to give planes of light corresponding to the sky (done with a jay cloth!), and I have 'worked in' the wake of the St Kildan 'flit boat', so that it is not too 'tram-liney'. The men now have faces and beards. I took this photograph in morning light, so that the colours are as close as I can get them to what is on the board. It is a hugely light-sensitive painting - which probably means it's just about right overall. Village Bay glitters on a sunny morning - when it's calm! I have not seen another painting which shows an old-style steamship in Village Bay. This one may be unique. Please let me know of any St Kilda art which shows steamships and other vessels. Thank you.
Final version (I think!) posted. Foreground has been enlivened by adding a couple of posh (and rather modern!) 'towerists' and two sheep. The profile of Dun has been strengthened, with more detail on the rock formations etc. Colour of sea deepened a little
What a difference to the cliffs Donald ! The ship is standing out better and my favourate part is still the people and the dogs on the beach !!! (bottom right hand corner) 
Thanks, Debra. You are so kind. Yes, quite a few adjustments needed in that scene. 
I tried to catch the detail of the gabbro (grey rocks) on Dun. The peaks belong to cliffs which lie behind the greener 'front'. So I tried to distinguish them. I had a go at the edge of Dun too, adding light. I then re-did the sea, adding slightly richer blue, and 'splashes' of light. I think I may have made the 'splashes' too obviously parallel - something to avoid in the future. Once I was satisfied (to some extent) with the sea, I repainted the ship, using the same range of colours as I had used in the sea. The ship then began to fit into the picture much more comfortably - and she also stood out better! I deepened the rocky shore, and added the 'towerists', partly to close the gap a bit, and to balance the scene. The 'natives' and their naughty dogs are not so lonely now. I think I will be able to do better next time. I learned a lot from this - mainly 'what not to do'!
I tried to catch the detail of the gabbro (grey rocks) on Dun. The peaks belong to cliffs which lie behind the greener 'front'. So I tried to distinguish them. I had a go at the edge of Dun too, adding light. I then re-did the sea, adding slightly richer blue, and 'splashes' of light. I think I may have made the 'splashes' too obviously parallel - something to avoid in the future. Once I was satisfied (to some extent) with the sea, I repainted the ship, using the same range of colours as I had used in the sea. The ship then began to fit into the picture much more comfortably - and she also stood out better! I deepened the rocky shore, and added the 'towerists', partly to close the gap a bit, and to balance the scene. The 'natives' and their naughty dogs are not so lonely now. I think I will be able to do better next time. I learned a lot from this - mainly 'what not to do'! The definitive and very final version of this painting has now been posted! 
Note that considerable detail has been added to the ship, particularly to the bridge. The 'Hebridean' had a bridge and wheelhouse arrangement somewhat similar to that of a steam tug. The wheelhouse was below the bridge, and offered good shelter for the helmsman - much better than the 'open bridge' arrangement of the later 'Hebrides' (1898). The bridge was, in effect, a rather plain form of 'flying bridge', with some canvas on the outer 'wings'.
Note that considerable detail has been added to the ship, particularly to the bridge. The 'Hebridean' had a bridge and wheelhouse arrangement somewhat similar to that of a steam tug. The wheelhouse was below the bridge, and offered good shelter for the helmsman - much better than the 'open bridge' arrangement of the later 'Hebrides' (1898). The bridge was, in effect, a rather plain form of 'flying bridge', with some canvas on the outer 'wings'.
Extremely good Donald,both the painting and the narrative It makes it that bit more interesting when you get a wee "pen portrait" of these old ships as well as seeing what they looked like.
It makes it that bit more interesting when you get a wee "pen portrait" of these old ships as well as seeing what they looked like.Many thanks indeed, Ronnie. Very grateful for your kind words. Yes, I enjoy setting my paintings in context, as I usually produce them for a 'reason' - at least, a 'reason' that satisfies me. This painting was inspired by being in St Kilda in August 2010, as I probably said. When I stood on the shore looking across to Dun, I longed to see one of the old steamships in the bay, and this 'image' implanted itself in my brain. Eventually, after a lot of effort, I managed to get it down on canvas, and after an even longer struggle I got it to look like the 'wish fulfilment' that I had in mind. The St Kildans are off-centre, in the bottom right, and deliberately 'spooky', as if they have come back from the dead; the 'towerists' are painted strongly, as they are the ones who now enjoy going to St Kilda, and are still very much alive. Eventually, eventually...I got there...in terms of seeing and 'reimagining' St Kilda, and producing on canvas what I had in my head! So your kind words are very much appreciated.
Yes, I enjoy setting my paintings in context, as I usually produce them for a 'reason' - at least, a 'reason' that satisfies me. This painting was inspired by being in St Kilda in August 2010, as I probably said. When I stood on the shore looking across to Dun, I longed to see one of the old steamships in the bay, and this 'image' implanted itself in my brain. Eventually, after a lot of effort, I managed to get it down on canvas, and after an even longer struggle I got it to look like the 'wish fulfilment' that I had in mind. The St Kildans are off-centre, in the bottom right, and deliberately 'spooky', as if they have come back from the dead; the 'towerists' are painted strongly, as they are the ones who now enjoy going to St Kilda, and are still very much alive. Eventually, eventually...I got there...in terms of seeing and 'reimagining' St Kilda, and producing on canvas what I had in my head! So your kind words are very much appreciated. 
donald thats a lovely painting, a know artists can get cought out sometimes with keeping going back ti a picture and over working it as they say, your pictures are distinctive of you and yir style, keep them coming
Many thanks indeed, Westword. You are most kind. Glad you and others enjoy my 'doodles'! To be honest, I think I was well out of my depth with this painting, and I nearly drowned in Village Bay! I was too ambitious, relative to my 'skills' (or lack thereof), but I kept at it, and produced what was inside my head. The image in my brain kept 'nagging', until it was finalised, and now I have peace. I feel I have had a narrow escape, though! Your warm words are very encouraging. I am working on a couple at present....We'll see what happens, and whether I will sink without trace this time! All the very best, Donald.
I was too ambitious, relative to my 'skills' (or lack thereof), but I kept at it, and produced what was inside my head. The image in my brain kept 'nagging', until it was finalised, and now I have peace. I feel I have had a narrow escape, though! Your warm words are very encouraging. I am working on a couple at present....We'll see what happens, and whether I will sink without trace this time! All the very best, Donald.
