Lonnie Ash
The Place
Portland Head lighthouse is located in the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine and was first lit in 1791. The light is only open to visitors once a year. Massachusetts governor John Hancock signed the contract for the first Keeper's Quarters in 1790.
The Process
The first washes established the lightest areas of the lighthouse and foreground. My strategy for this painting was to allow as much of the first wash to shine through to the end. In previous paintings I would build up almost an endless number of layers to achieve the look I wanted. In some circles, this would be called "overworking" the painting.
The lighthouse is the star of the show, so I make sure that the highest contrast and deepest color occur here.
I maintain the simple shapes and limit paint layers for everything surrounding the lighthouse to emphasize the contrast of the building.
