"The Headlands, Mohegan Islands"

Description of the painting:      This watercolor seascape study is a beautifully executed painting sketch. It was painted on location en plein air just after a the fog lifted and the sun began to shine through in the afternoon. Painted on Mohegan Island, Maine this study is part of Michael's Mohegan portfolio. Michael says," I painted this small study of the headlands in one of my favorite spots also painted by hundreds of painters in history. This place is simply stunning and I have painted it many time, each completely different in atmosphere and light.  The whole painting was made very spontaneously  because there is little time to think about formula or painting process. That's what makes this watercolor so charming and fresh. The uniqueness of the location and the speed in which it was painted."

 

 Painted in plein air, Michael use of the medium is in keeping with the James Fitzgerald style that he has developed over the years. Michael paints on location to capture the light and the movement of the subject and he believes that his paintings have a spiritual life of their own as he captures these moments in time.  The painting study is rendered within a two hour block of time and it is painted using the highest quality pure pigments from Holbin, Daniel Smith and Old Holland hand ground paint.  Michael also uses a traditional method of wetting the back of his sheet of paper to draw in the washes and creating a richer statement of color as the master's did.