Mark Hewatt

Tag: summer

  • Summer Dusk

    Summer Dusk

    Today I am sharing a new 8×10 study that explores the specific atmosphere of late summer. I wanted to capture not just the intense colors of the season, but the underlying mood—a suggestion of the mysterious melancholy that often accompanies the heavy heat before autumn arrives.

    To build this atmosphere, I completely shifted my mark-making, relying on a stippling technique using Pitt pens and acrylic markers on cold press paper. By applying the color in thousands of distinct dots rather than smooth lines or washes, the surface of the piece seems to physically vibrate. The bright yellows, greens, and warm oranges create a visual “heat haze.”

    To introduce that feeling of mystery, I leaned on contrast. The cooler blues in the shadows of the house and the solitary, undefined figure standing in the yard anchor the piece in a quiet, slightly unsettling stillness. It is an exercise in letting the optical mixing of colors dictate both the light and the emotional weight of the scene.

    Technical Detail:

    • Shuttle Art acrylic brush pens
    • India ink
    • Dip pen
    • 9×12 140lb cold press
    • Summer Dusk-Distance View-1
    • Summer Dusk-Detail-1
    • 2603_Summer-Dusk_close-02
    • 2603_Summer-Dusk_close-03
  • Heat on the Water

    Heat on the Water

    Recently, I shared a highly saturated, small-scale study of a boat docked on a blindingly bright summer day, done entirely with Zebra Sarasa gel pens. That initial piece was all about capturing the raw, vibrating heat and light from an old reference photo.

    Today, I am sharing the larger, translated version of that same scene, completed this time using India ink.

    It is always a fascinating process to see how a composition shifts and breathes differently when you change both the scale and the medium. While the gel pen study was built on tight, scratchy, directional strokes, moving to India ink allowed for broader, smoother washes of color.

    You can see how the vivid yellows, reds, and oranges of the boat’s interior feel a bit more grounded and painterly in this version. However, I intentionally kept that fragmented, graphic, mosaic-like texture in the water to maintain the harsh, rippling reflection of the summer sun.

    Taking a piece from a small, experimental study to a larger ink format is a balancing act—trying to refine the forms without losing the initial, spontaneous energy that made the sketch work in the first place.

    Technical Details:

    • India Ink
    • Strathmore heavyweight mixed media 350lb 9×12
    • Liquitex white acrylic ink

  • Fence in a Field

    Fence in a Field

    Camera: Nikon D5000
    ISO 200 | F/5.3 | 1/80
    Sigma 55-200mm

  • Woman on the Dock

    Woman on the Dock

    Date taken: 10/20/2012
    Camera: Pentax iST DL
    ISO 200 | 1/350
    M42 Lens

  • Williamson Lake in Fall

    Williamson Lake in Fall

    This delightful painting transports us to a serene countryside where time slows down, and worries dissipate like morning mist. Imagine standing in a vast field, the sun kissing your skin, and the air carrying the scent of freshly cut hay. Above, fluffy clouds drift lazily across the sky, their cotton candy shapes inviting daydreams. The artist’s brush strokes capture the essence of a perfect day: the kind where you kick off your shoes, lie back on the grass, and watch the world go by.

    In the foreground, a golden hay bale stands like a sentinel, its warmth contrasting with the cool blues of the sky. Further away, a tranquil pond mirrors the scene, doubling the beauty. And if you listen closely, you might hear the distant laughter of children playing or catch a glimpse of a painter capturing this idyllic moment on canvas. It’s a place where worries fade, and the simple pleasures of life take center stage – a slice of heaven painted with love and nostalgia.

    Technical Details

    • Medium: Acrylic
    • Surface: Stretched Canvas
    • Dimensions: 10×20
  • summer Isolated

    summer Isolated

    This landscape, executed with a robust impasto technique, masterfully captures the paradoxical nature of humid summer air. The vibrant, almost luminous greens of the expansive foreground grass suggest a landscape brimming with life, yet the heavy, almost palpable texture of the sky hints at the immense pressure of the atmosphere. The singular farmhouse, isolated against the horizon, stands as a testament to human resilience within this environment, its solitude not one of desolation, but of quiet anticipation. The artist’s brushwork effectively conveys the air’s buoyant weight, a sensation that is both oppressive in its humidity and invigorating in its promise of the cleansing power of impending storms.

    The painting’s true strength lies in its portrayal of this atmospheric duality. One can almost feel the thick, moisture-laden air, a characteristic of summer in certain climes, pressing down yet simultaneously lifting, pregnant with the energy of unreleased precipitation. The subtle shifts in the sky’s coloration and texture suggest the brewing of an intense weather event, transforming the static quietude into a dynamic tension. This piece eloquently communicates the unique sensory experience of a humid summer day, where the very air is a character, hinting at the dramatic release of a coming storm.

    Technical Details:

    • Surface: 140lb cold press
    • Dimensions: 9×12
    • Medium: Acrylic

  • Hodges Mill Field

    Hodges Mill Field

    This image is like a breath of fresh air, capturing the serene beauty of the countryside. The golden hues of a field, rich and warm, stretch out to meet a sky painted with soft blues and whites. Hay bales, scattered artistically across the field, add an element of rustic charm. They’re like nature’s own sculptures, standing as silent witnesses to the changing seasons. A white fence runs through the landscape, leading the eye to a cozy house nestled amidst lush greenery. It’s one of those homes that looks like it has countless stories tucked away within its walls.

    The sky is a masterpiece in itself – clouds dance gracefully across it, casting shadows and light in an intricate ballet. There’s something about their formation that stirs up a mix of emotions; they’re both dramatic yet peaceful at the same time. The trees stand tall and proud against this backdrop, their leaves rustling softly in an unseen breeze. Every brush stroke on this canvas tells a tale of nature’s timeless elegance; it’s a scene that makes you want to step right in and get lost for awhile.

    Technical Details

    Medium: Acrylic
    Surface: Stretched Canvas
    Dimensions: 18×24

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