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Greetings from the state of Maine! I’m Jay Vance, and I live here with my wife on the Atlantic coast. Maine is a beautiful state with unlimited scenes to interest artists. I live within walking distance of these opportunities: coastal sights such as the Portland Head Light House and fishermen’s shacks and homes reflected on the water; Portland’s architecture with old brick buildings and cobblestone streets; and landscapes which include fields, tumbled-down stone walls, and magnificent forests.
I came to drawing and painting relatively later in life than many artists who began when they were children. My training is in teaching. I have both a B.S. and an M.Ed. from the University of Maine. After retiring from coaching football, and on a whim, I signed up for a beginner’s watercolor class. I thought it might be interesting to see how watercolors were used. It was like magic! My teacher was so supportive, and I loved creating images. I was hooked! I took several more classes and began reading every art instruction book I could get my hands on. Some people who have influenced me are Robert Wade, Claudia Nice, Peter Sheeler, Alphonso Dunn, and Judith Kinsman.
I might confess that the blank page intimidated me for a long time. I didn’t want to make mistakes. But my technique continues to evolve, and happy “mistakes” are now part of it. Reflection is an important part of my learning. When I finish a piece, I usually display it in a place where I can see it throughout the day. I always find those mistakes and make mental notes.
All of my paintings begin as sketches done in pen and ink. I prefer .005 and .02 Micron pens but sometimes work with a Lamy Safari fountain pen. I’m actually using the .02 more than ever because I now feel the .005 line to be rather “timid”. I have used both Winsor & Newton and Daler-Rowney watercolors. My favorite paper is Arches 140 lbs., cold press watercolor paper.
I have found that my process of sketching with pen and ink first and then applying watercolor washes works well when I am depicting weathered surfaces. Edges and shadows are accomplished by the ink sketch, and color is the final consideration.
Sketching with pen and ink on watercolor paper enables me to create textures that I would not be able to create on smoother paper. The texture is created by using the “tooth” of the paper. This technique works well when the subject is especially rough, such as the bark of a tree or shingles and bricks.
Sketching and painting have given me ways of expressing myself that I never had before. I now take the time to actually appreciate the world around me.
Jay Vance
Instagram
So beautiful!!!
Thank you!!
Aren’t they? Jay is awesome! Thanks Jill! 😃
I’m so glad you took the watercolor class Jay, your creative work makes me very happy. Thanks for sharing. Thank you Charlie.
Thanks Sharon! So happy you liked Jay’s feature!!
I love your paintings. The pen-and-ink with watercolor is perfect.
I’m pleased that you like my sketches. Judith Kinsman, my teacher is so talented and so supportive!!
Like you, I’m starting very late in life, so your story is very inspiring.
Hi Judith,
Thank you. Yes, pen and ink with watercolor is a great combination. You can establish your edges and some of your shadows and textures before you get to the watercolor. At that point, you mostly think about color and values.
Jay
I’ve only done a couple of paintings using both ink and watercolor — mostly I’ve used the combination for quick sketches. I do like the look, so I might have to use the technique more often.
Nice paintings Jay. Can you tell me what ink you are using? I have a Pilot Metropolitan pen with the Pilot Namiki Black ink. It writes and draws beautifully, but the ink bleeds when I apply watercolor over it. I know there are water resistant fountain pens inks such as Platinum Carbon, but they are very expensive. Thanks
I use Micron pens when I know I am going to apply watercolor washes. Sometimes, if I feel I will not use watercolor, I use my Lamy Safari with Noodlers Bulletproof black ink.
Hi Jay, the description of where you live and the beauty you capture in you sketches makes me want to visit! It was wonderful to read your story. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Jessica. I’m so glad you like my sketches! Maine is a wonderful place to visit, so much beauty!!
Jay
I love Maine. Love it! New follower here.
Hi Teri. Thank you so much!
Jay
Yay to follow! Thanks Teri! 😃
Wow, beautiful work, Jay. I’m so glad you found watercolor, as you’re clearly gifted!
Hi Laura. Thank you so much for your kind comment!!
Jay
Love your work.
Linda
Thank you, Linda!!😊😊
Jay
You have a sensitive eye for detail and beauty, well captured in your paintings, Jay. How fortunate that you took that watercolor class. Your art is beautiful.
Hi Sharon. Thank you for your kind comment!! It was a great starter for me with a very good teacher 🙂
Wow this is amazing stuff! I am captivated by your watercolor and sketching skills. Reading your story, we have a lot in common and like a lot of the same tools. And I even live on the Atlantic coast, albeit south of you in NC. 😉 Enjoyed your post, and just followed you on Instagram to keep up with your work!
Thank you, KD. I appreciate your comment!!
Jay
Hi Tonya. We do have a lot in common! Thank you so much for your comments. My wife and I visited NC about 2 months ago. So many sketching opportunities there also.
Jay
Love hearing about the follow! Glad you liked this feature, Tonya! 😃
Wonderful sketches! I have always been fascinated with Maine, I have no idea why other than I think it would be the coast, state parks, the wildness of it I suppose. 🙂
Hi Margaret. Maine is awesome!! Come and visit our beautiful state. You’ll love it.
Jay
Going to go on my bucket list 🙂
Love, love the the stump painting! I’m going straight to Instagram to follow your account and enjoy more of your work!
Yay KD! So glad you followed Jay! 😃
I love the way you use the white space. Beautiful! (K)
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment. Leaving areas white is something I thought about a lot.
Jay
Very impressive.. especially about using the “tooth” of the watercolor paper, which may add a unique face to your beautiful pen and ink works! I’m glad I can read about you here as a doodlewash family (I was also a guest doodlewasher in April, thanks to Charlie!) and I’m following you already!!😊
Thank you, Naoko! I will look for you on Instagram also. I do enjoy sketching on watercolor paper, but I sometimes use my Moleskine sketchbook if I am not going to add watercolor washes.
Yap, I can see you enjoy different outcomes of watercolor paper and Moleskine depending on what you have in mind to draw. Thank you so much, Jay!
Thanks Naoko! So happy to hear you’re already a fan of Jay’s work! 😃
Yay, another later in life artist! I love your muted color palette, and that door with the rusty handle is gorgeous! Looking forward to following your work.
Hi Jen, It’s fun finding something “later in life” that fascinates us, isn’t it!! Thank you for you kind comments.
Jay
lovely work Jay, these studies have such a sense of place, it makes me want to go visit!
Thank you, Phil! Your comments are very kind! Maine is a great place to visit, and I hope you get the chance.
Jay
Gorg. I could look at it all day.
Hi Shauna Lee,
Thank you for such a nice comment and for checking in on my entry!!
Jay
I’m so drawn to your work Jay. Your line quality is so delicate and the overlay of color, with plenty of white space, perfection I think. Consider me a big fan!
Hi Cathe! I’m pleased to know you like my sketches. Thanks for your kind comments.
Jay
Way cool sketches. Thanks for sharing the details.
Thank you, Clearskies, for liking my sketches. I am glad you enjoy them.
Jay
Awesome artwork! Your comment about using yhd .005 as being timid speaks volumes to me. I’m quite timid skething in ink. I prefer pencil then outlining in pen. I should change this.
Hi Rob,
I have found that going right to the pen forces me to make decisions and stay with them. This “commitment” also implies that I have a fairly clear idea of where I am headed before I start, not to say that I don’t make changes, or adjustments, along the way!
Thanks for your kind comment.
Jay
Loved the article. And also your lighthouse, I just cant stop painting them, I do a view landscapes, and then it starts to come in my mind again, I have to do a lighthouse. One of the nicest lighthouse watercolors is made in Maine to. Its on Ron Ranson’s book about Edgar Whitney. the cover is from Skip Lawrence. A gorgeous watercolor.
Dear Watercolorsfromholland,
Thank you for your comment. The information is very interesting!! I am glad you enjoyed the article.
Jay
Such lovely work, Jay! And Maine looks like an artist’s dream!
Dear M.l. Kappa
Thank you so much for your comment.
Maine has attracted artists for generations.
Of course, if you visit us, you may well want to come in the summer!!!😊😊❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Reblogged this on Michael Cole | Maine Outdoor Properties.
my gosh, I do love your style. Your way of painting is the thing I covet. I’d love to learn to paint like that!