Britannia boot camp 2024.
Introduction
Last week, I attended the Grand Prix of Art boot camp to stretch my mind and try something new. This experience pushed me into deeper waters, leading me to discover new subjects to paint and expanding my vision in my quest to find my unique painting style.
Boot Camp Lessons
Mark had his plein air painting station assembled and started with the basics for prepping yourself for race day. He handed out a handy hack list, which was super useful. I learned a few things, which made me realize that every day brings something new, making the anticipation of this event so interesting. Mark demonstrated the importance of a thumbnail sketch, avoiding chasing light by having a strong idea of where your shadows are, and showing up early to lock in your shadows. He also suggested working out your thumbnail on toned paper, using a soft pencil and a white crayon to block in your whites. All these tips just clicked for me.
GPOA — Hack sheet.
The Gillnetter Model
After the boot camp warm-up, we were sent off to find a location to paint. Wandering around for about 15 minutes, pondering what to paint, I noticed a miniature gillnetter model boat on the window sill of the Murakami Boatworks. There were three boats in the three west-facing windows, and the little boat in the centre immediately caught my eye.
This fine little composition featured a beautiful H-pattern window pane and a simplified scale model of the classic gillnetter boats once crafted here. Possibly built by Otokichi Murakami himself, this scale model reflects my childhood memories of a toy I once desired. Inspired by its charm, I decided to study and paint it over the next couple of days.
The Gillnetter model
Painting from the Outside
I wanted to capture the optimistic feeling as if the model boat were alive, dreaming about going to the big sea, making friends with the captain and fisherman crew, as it has spent its entire life on the window shelf, inspired by the changing seasons viewed from those window panes.
Using a scrap sheet of Archer Cold Press 140lb paper, I quickly sketched my composition in 15 minutes, focusing on the story, working in thirds, and using interior light as my guide. The lack of light really came through in the glassy reflections and the window in the back of the room. In the background (hard to see), a large glass net fishing float was present, which I wanted to capture as well. We used to search the beach for those when I lived in Port Eliza, on the northwest tip of Vancouver Island. This added another connection to my childhood memories with this painting.
Model Gillnetter, Murakami Boatworks
Refining My Work
Again, I felt rushed but maintained focus and started blocking in big colours. This was new territory for me, as the brutalist composition of the flat wood-textured exterior wall encapsulated the cute boat. Little did I know, this would become my muse. Charles, a talented plein air painter, came to visit and offer his kind suggestions, while Scott another talented painter passed by in his rumbling truck, off to catch the final soccer match. He finished early.
When it was time to pack up and gather with Mark and the other artists, I had doubts about my painting, thinking it was too simple. Mark suggested cropping in tighter and focusing on the window. He asked if I was going to paint it again, and I said yes. To my surprise, I ended up painting it another five times over the past week. Each time, the painting got better.
Mark G. from Travelling Brush post-bootcamp review
Second attempt at the Gillnetter.
Third attempt at it. Still not happy.
The Inside Perspective
On Wednesday, three days later, I decided to go back and explore the location more thoroughly. It dawned on me that I needed to see the gillnetter from the inside. Luckily, Juliana from the Britannia Shipyards staff remembered me from the Sunday boot camp. I explained my fascination with the model boat, and she kindly let me inside the Murakami Boathouse. This new perspective made me try something I hadn't done successfully before – painting the boat from the cold side. This new painting completely upped my game and confidence, as I was now doing something outside my comfort zone, which I highly recommend.
Inside perspective and forth try at the Gillnetter. Still not happy.
Final Thoughts
This experience reminded me that each day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't throw something away just because it's not looking perfect. See the shadows first and have patience, because with watercolour, it gets really good at the end. The journey of a watercolour painting is filled with uncertainty, but staying confident and positive makes all the difference.
Fifth attempt 6 days after bootcamp.
Final Thoughts
Why am I writing this? It's a story about treating each day as an opportunity and believing that your best days are still ahead of you. Every day can bring something better, and you just have to believe. No matter how many years you've been at it, never think you're at your peak – there's always room to grow. Mark's little nudge of confidence and suggestion at boot camp was received and transformed into what I believe is my best work this year.
What's your opinion? Did I go too far? Is it worth working out when you're inspired? Should I keep going? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Share in the comments below!
