Seascapes, Boats — oil painting by Ray Patrick
Four yachts under sail in flat light, their tall dark sails standing against a pale sea and sky that are almost the same value.
A very wide format. The sails are spaced across the width at diminishing heights, nearest at the left, and the horizon is barely drawn — the whole picture is carried by the rhythm of the four verticals.
Grey-blue and pale cerulean through the sky and sea, with the sails in indigo and slate. The hulls carry two small flecks of vermilion, the only warm colour.
The sails are single tapering strokes of dark paint, each one pulled in a single movement. The water is dragged horizontally beneath them so the board's texture breaks the colour.
Oil on canvas board. Thin and dragged throughout, the weave reading strongly through both sea and sky.
Lower right, raypatrick, in white over the water, letters widely spaced.