"KONINI" 1965 Grandy 28' Sedan Cruiser - Commission Piece

jonsey4u
Jan 28
3 min read

I was delighted to have been recently commissioned to paint "KONINI", a beautiful 1965 Grandy 28' Sedan Cruiser, built right here in Tacoma.

The boat had been in the family for over 20 years, and was recently sold. In appreciation of all the wonderful memories shared as a family, the painting was commissioned as a birthday gift for DAD. The family had spent time cruising "KONINI" to the well known Chatterbox Falls, located on the British Columbia Canada's, Sunshine Coast, accessed via Princess Louisa Inlet and Jarvis Inlet.

I was provided the reference photos above, giving me some basic information of this particular boat and reference images of "KONINI" at dock while on a trip to Chatterbox Falls.

The Commission Process: When I am commissioned to paint a picture of any boat, I will typically do some research about the specific boat and the intended location proposed for the final composition.

Below are the initial concept pages, that will provide the client basic imagery and potential concepts for the composition. It is important that I understand any specific information about the boat that should be translated into the painting. Through hand sketching and photoshop, I am able to provide rough concepts that will determine the final perspective and background imagery.

1. For Client Reference: I provide Basic Information and Relative Information that I have researched about the Boat, or Surrounding Scene

2. I will provide Rough Concepts - In this case using client provided photos and photoshopping as needed to accentuate the boat, and surrounding scenery.

3. Additional Concepts with various perspectives of "KONINI" and Chatterbox Falls in the background.

4. One More perspective, which I thought would better represent the workmanship and the classic lines of the Grandy 28. This is a hand sketch that I photoshopped into the background. I also wanted to be sure I recreated the logo on the transom, since I was only provided a small photo for reference.

5. The client also like the hand built frames that I make (See the blog regarding the framing process). This page shows potential options for framing and the process involved.

Final Composition: Having discussed the options, we decided the Option #4 (3/4 stern view) was preferred, but more emphasis to the "Falls". Below is the pencil rendering and a photoshopped rendering of the final composition. I also drew the 3/4 Stern view of the boat for proper perspective and final client approval.

The Painting Process Begins: Below are progress images of the process, from the pencil drawing directly to the watercolor paper (300lbs Arches Cold Press), then adding in the shadows to establish the light source direction, and gradually work my way to "KONINI" and the transom name.

The Details: Lettering the name on the transom is always a technical challenge. Particularly if the lettering is small, and in this case the word "Seattle" was only 3/8". With the use of a magnifying lens, a .000 brush and liquid masking fluid, I first laid in the gold color for the names. I created an electronic paper print out first, with the logo in the correct perspective and that traced that onto the gold background. Then painted in the liquid masking fluid, and finally painted the mahogany color - Quinacridone Gold, and once dried, I peeled off the liquid masking material.