The Boathouse

One of the plein air paint-out groups met at Echo Park a few weeks ago.  The lake there was drained three years ago, and after a two year, $45 million restoration project, it's been reopened for a year now and looks beautiful.  That day the park was very busy with a Telemundo news crew set-up, and workers hand picking invasive apple snails that have appeared since the lake was refilled.  It's a concern that the snails will eat the park's signature lotus plants. 

I was last there in August and posted that day's watercolor in Echo Park.  Our recent paint-out started off very overcast and it never got more sunny.  I was looking for a view I could paint from the shade but as it turned out I didn't need the shade.  I chose a view of the picturesque old 1932 boathouse to paint in gouache because the drying time is faster than with transparent watercolor.  Good for a dreary day.  I really had fun with this piece and it seemed to come together well.  Maybe I'm finally getting more used to gouache.  I'm looking forward to my next paint-out there which is in a few days!    

5 x 7" Gouache

Built in 1932

Telemundo

Workers hand picking apple snails.

Many Mallard duckings.