More Monhegan Workshop Information:
When you get off the ferry, find the Monhegan House pickup truck. The truck will take all your belongings up to the Inn. The cost is included. You can tip the driver or in a jar at on the front desk.
If you are you new to the island: The road goes up the hill then down to the Lupine Gallery. Turn right and follow the road past the Carina (check it out for future food/ and wine needs), past the North End Grocery (great sandwiches, soups, beer and wine), past the Chadwick House. The Monhegan House is on your left. (The Trailing Yew is up a short ways, on the right).
On the first day we will meet a little later...at 10:30/11:00, since some painters are coming in on the morning ferry (I usually start a demos around 9:00 AM). We will meet at the Monhegan House and walk to Fish Beach, Swim Beach or someplace else nearby for my demonstration.
Art supplies: The Lupine Gallery has some art supplies, like mineral spirits, a small selection of canvas boards and brushes, but it's best to bring your own, since you never be sure what they have, and it's more expensive.
I bring: One tube of every color on my palette (not always a new tube), plus a large tube of White (Utrecht White) along with a tube of Underpainting White (also known as Quick Dry White, by Gamblin, or Alkyd White, by Griffin/Winsor Newton…they are basically all the same). I sometimes use a combination of regular White & Quick Dry as my white (1/4 Quick Dry to 3/4 white). It gives the white a nice consistency and white is the slowest paint to dry.
I carry enough panels for at least 2 paintings a day...sizes 6x8 to 12x16. Take whatever sizes you like to use on location. It can be all one size. Most of your paintings will be dry enough to carry back, except for the last few days, for those I have panel carriers. I also take Liquin to speed the drying time.
Mineral spirits: I take at least a quart (I use Gamblin's Gamsol)... I also take an empty can or empty plastic, large mouth bottle (sometimes I use a large yogurt container w/lid). After a day of painting I pour the dirty mineral spirits into the container and refill my travel can. (I have one of the stainless steel cans with a screen). The "dirty" mineral spirits will settle and can be used again and again. Mineral spirits are reusable for a LONG time with this process ...almost indefinitely. I do all this in the corner of my room (I use a paper shower mat Monhegan House bathroom).
Bring at least one larger brush. I will stress this in the workshop. You can't be picky with strokes & details using a house painting brush. (At least a #10 Flat or Filbert). Even on an 8x10 you can use a #10. My favorites are, daVinci Chungking Maestro (5023) Flats, Robert Simmons Signet, and Silver Brush Limited/Grand Prix Bristle.
Lately I have completely switched to flats. I still use filberts once in a while, but I love the flats.
Clothes: *Rain gear and shoes that are either waterproof or you don't mind getting wet. It can get soggy out there...part of painting on location:-)
Fingerless gloves ...I keep mine in my pack year around. It can get chilly on the ocean even in the heat of summer. Windbreaker and warm clothes (fleece). You will be much happier having some warm clothes if you want them. Of course bring some warm weather clothes too. Example: Last year, after the day’s workshop was finished, a bunch of us went to Lobster Cove to paint before the sun went down. The wind was whipping up huge swells; crashing over the rocks...it was beautiful. Those of us with warm/windproof clothes (and fingerless gloves) were able to get in some great painting.
Miscellaneous: Bring a hat, I know this is a given, but don't forget. If you have an umbrella for your easel, bring that too. My umbrella thing-a-ma-bob attaches to my easel. I don't always use mine on the island...too windy, but I always lug it around for that one time I do need it.
My painting pack has these items: pochade box (brushes, knives and paints), tripod, large tubes of white (they don't fit in my pochade box), roll of paper towel, a bag for trash, mineral spirits can, water, Power Bar (or something to eat), windbreaker, fleece vest or something warm, fingerless gloves (don't leave home without them), rain coat - if it looks like rain, or it is in the forecast, sun screen, bug spray, nylon rope and one tent stake (to tie my easel down in the wind). I do carry a few more (extra) things (I was a boy scout): a small Leatherman multi tool, a small tub of “The Masters” brush cleaner. (stays in the room).
If you have a tendency to get seasick, ginger tablets work well. I get them at the health food store...St Claire's-Organic Ginger Snaps or the new Paul Newman’s, Organic Ginger Snaps.
Bring sunscreen and bug spray. The bugs are not bad along the shore, they can be nasty in Cathedral Forest.
"We are going home with ability and knowledge,
not (necessarily) finished canvases."
-Charles Hawthorne