The Love of Lighthouses

Independent study

If you are like me, you may be fascinated with lighthouses.

I always thought they were all about the same, basically, a large tower with maybe a small house next to it, as I was developing this course the subject became even more interesting and not only in the shape, color, and locations but the symbolism of and how it can be applied to our own lives.

Designed for all skill levels, this is a self-paced course for those that like to paint on their own and go at their own pace. Begin with simple shapes, then evolve into more complex paintings, learn how to avoid outlining our subject by working with values and create different weather conditions and rocky shores and some even with trees.

“If you open your eyes very wide and look around you carefully, you will always see a lighthouse that will lead you to the right path! Just watch around you carefully!” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

About Lighthouses


Did you know, the reason lighthouses are painted differently is to help the mariner identify them during the day, and if it’s painted white most likely the surrounding background is dark, meaning a lot of trees or fields, and if it has red and white stripes often it may up against a white background, such as cliffs or rocks, and the reason why many lighthouses are so tall is to be seen further away at sea and take into account the curvature of the earth.

The actual shape of the lighthouse often depended upon the whim of the individual designer, and location of where it will be and the different flash patterns allows their location to be identified.

The techniques and lessons here, will help you be to be able to paint any special lighthouse that you love.



“Lighthouses are endlessly suggestive signifiers of both human isolation and our ultimate connectedness to each other.” – Virginia Woolf

Example Curriculum

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  Getting started
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  Live Web Cam and other reference
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  FAQ
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  Warm up with shapes
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  Paint a tower
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  Pigeon Pt. Lighthouse
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  Misty lighthouse (Cheboygan Crib)
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  Red Lighthouse (Round Island)
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  Lighthouse with a large base (Poe Reef)
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  Pt. Reyes Lighthouse
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  Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse
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  Bass Harbor Lighthouse
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  Portland Loose Lighthouse
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  Try painting your own favorite lighthouse
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  Rewards program
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