Scallop Shells

To continue the ocean theme I seem to be on – small sketch of Scallop Shells from a photo on the internet. Scallops are a cosmopolitan family of bivalves, found in all of the world’s oceans, though never in freshwater. They are one of very few groups of bivalves to be primarily “free-living”; many species are capable of rapidly swimming short distances and even of migrating some distance across the ocean floor. The majority of species, however, live recumbent on sandy substrates, and when they sense the presence of a predator such as a starfish, they are able to escape by swimming swiftly but erratically through the water using a form of jet propulsion created by repeatedly clapping of their shells together. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-09 Scallops

Ribbed Mussels

A small sketch of Ribbed Mussels from a photo on the internet. Ribbed mussels are similar to blue mussels in shape and size but differ in appearance, color, and habitat. The shell of a ribbed mussel is shaped like a long rounded triangle with corrugated ribs along the length. Ribbed mussels are usually found partially buried in the sediment, unlike the blue mussel that attaches to a piling or dock. When buried in the sediment, two slit-like siphons with frilled edges extend from the body to the muddy surface. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-08 Ribbed Mussels

Line-up

This sketch was started at the entry to Falmouth Harbor in Falmouth, Massachusetts. My wife Lisa was going for a walk and I thought I would sketch the Seagulls that were all lined up on the tops of the pier pilings. After I drew about 10 lines a gentlemen came along and scared all of the seagulls into leaving. This left me with completing the sketch from memory and adding the color back at the house. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s black ink and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.
2016-02-07 Line-up

Cherrystone Clams

A small sketch of Cherrystone Clams from a photo on the internet. The hard clam, also known as a quahog (or quahaug), round clam, or hard-shell clam, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk that is native to the eastern shores of North America and  Central America, from Prince Edward Island to the Yucatan Peninsula. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-02-05 Cherrystones

Lobster Buoys

This week is a series of quick sketches that are related to the sea. I have to start doing quicker sketches during the week with so little time to draw and scan. A small sketch of colorful Lobster Buoys on the side of a New England shack. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2016-01-31 Lobster Buoys

Kite Boarder

A quick sketch of a Kite Boarder enjoying a winter day at Harding Beach in Chatham, Massachusetts. The air temperature was about 30 degrees and the water temperature about 40 degrees. It is always enjoyable to watch the Kite Boarders and the Wind Surfers. Minimal line work with a Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s Black ink and  Holbein watercolors in a Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbook.

2016-01-20 Kiter

Serenity Chatham

This fishing boat had a perfect name for the scene of Chatham Harbor at the Fish Pier. The water was calm and a deep blue with the reflections of the sunset behind me in the clouds. While I was standing at the quay, a harbor seal just below me swam by slowly on his back enjoying himself. It was a wonderful pleasure to see the seal so peaceful and probably closer than you would see in an aquarium. A wonderful experience and true serenity. Pilot Falcon fountain pen with Noodler’s black ink and Daniel Smith watercolors in a Stillman and Birn sketchbook.

2015-12-18 Serenity Chatham