Recently, I had the delightful opportunity to merge two of my greatest passions: painting and fishing. I set off in my kayak from Tingalpa Creek in Queensland, Australia with just a fishing rod, a handful of lures, and a bag brimming with my plein air painting gear. Struggling to find inspiration lately, I felt that this adventure would help me shake things up—and it certainly did!
I would maneuver around, casting my line in various promising spots. When I stumbled upon a scene that caught my artistic eye, I would drop anchor and switch to painting.
There was something profoundly genuine and liberating about creating art right there on the water, with no one else around. It’s easy to understand why many renowned artists favor painting outdoors compared to the security of a studio environment.
Logistically, it wasn’t as daunting as I initially anticipated. While I was aware that things could quickly turn challenging—like if the wind picked up or I accidentally dropped my palette knife overboard—I found that the primary challenge, besides the usual plein air hurdles, was synchronizing my brush strokes with the movement of the water. If I went against the current, my hand would jolt, leading to inaccuracies. Interestingly, this created a unique lyrical quality to my painting experience.
This venture truly highlighted how much richer it is to observe and engage with a subject in real life rather than through a camera’s lens. While painting from my kayak, I could find any spot, zoom in on intricate details, and discover captivating subjects. In contrast, a photograph often fails to convey the vibrant deep blues and purples in the shadows beneath the mangrove trees or the subtle color variations in the overcast sky. The camera tends to oversimplify everything to a flat representation.
Below are a few images capturing the essence of my experience. Although I didn’t catch any fish, I did manage to create two small studies (not to mention I ended up with two sunburned legs).
Thank you for taking the time to read about my artistic journey. If you’re interested in exploring more about painting, I recommend checking out the Painting Academy.
Best wishes,
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
For those eager to enhance their artistic skills, consider visiting Art Tutor Hanoi, an art studio that offers engaging drawing and painting workshops perfect for travelers, expats, and anyone looking to spark their creativity.
