Screw Auger Falls is a beautiful set of falls located in Andover, ME, in the Grafton Notch State Park, on Rte. 26. The Bear River makes its way through the notch, over granite rock and through shallow pools, where it takes a 20 foot plunge over a broad ledge into the gorge below. From there it descends an additional 30 feet, as it cascades over a series of smaller falls, creating pools, and swirling sculptures of granite.
It has been said there once was a saw mill located near the falls, which I'm guessing was built and operated when the historical town of Grafton still held its charter, prior to 1919. At that point in time, logging was the main source of support for the small town. I have not been able to locate an image of the mill, or confirm the mills existence, however. If someone has additional information about the mill, or a photograph, it would be greatly appreciated. The term screw auger, refers to a tool used to bore holes into hard surfaces. The rounded shapes, pools, and crevices created by the Bear River, indicates why this set of falls got it's unusual name.
A Work In Progress
Below is a number of steps I used, to create my latest painting. This is a 12 x 24 inch oil painting on canvas, of Screw Auger Falls.
STEP 1
The first step in creating the painting of Screw Auger Falls, was to lay out the image on a 12 x 24 inch canvas. Once the basic image had been sketched, I began blocking in the first layer of color, starting at the top of the canvas, and working my way downward. I focused only on the basic shapes of the trees and rocks at this point.
STEP 2
I continued working down the length of the canvas, blocking in the basic shapes of the rocks at the top of the water fall.
STEP 3Then it was time to create the water. I used thicker paint here, in order to capture suggested splashing and swirling. Blocking in the larger rocks on the left, really began to pull this painting together.
STEP 4
After darkening the rocks on the lower left, I began to add final detail to the trees in the background. Once I'd added a few highlights of color to the rocks and water, it was time to let the white paint in the water fall dry for a couple of days.
STEP 5
With some finishing touches to the background trees, additional details added to the water, and highlighting of the pool in the foreground, I was ready to finish off the boulder in the lower right and sign my name. "Screw Auger Falls" is now complete!
