My First Beach Scene...A Work in Progress (WIP)

I painted my first beach scene.  Still a work in progress.

I really didn't feel like painting today, but I needed to put in some art time.  I thought I would just play with mixing colors.  My intent was to try to mix/create a turquoise color.  Once I did that, I got highly motivated to mix some other colors that reminded me of the Caribbean.  Then I grabbed a small 6x8 panel and started to paint.  Here's the result:

Beach Scene (6x8 panel/Lukas Berlin WMO)

I had a vision in my head.  I picked up my brushes and applied the paint to the blank canvas panel.  I could get use to this way of painting.

I used Lukas Berlin WMO for this beach scene:  Titanium White, Flesh Color, Ultramarine Deep, Primary Blue, and Permanent Green Light.  To create the turquoise color, I mixed the Primary Blue and Permanent Green Light.  Then I added some white to get the different shades.   For the sky, I used Ultramarine Deep and white.  For the beach I used Flesh Color and white.

I mounted the canvas panel to an old cardboard I had from a used up canvas paper pad. I rolled a few pieces of blue painter's tape and applied it to the cardboard.  I enjoy reusing stuff where I can.

For the next few days, I will let this painting dry.  Then I will start adding some details.

Not a Rose-y Day

I've been trying to paint at least 2-3 hours a week...if I'm lucky.  If the week nights are busy, I wait to do the 2-3 hours on the weekend.  That's the goal I've set to become proficient at this new hobby.

Today, I allocated some hours to paint after I was done with teaching a knitting class.  I thought the class would take 2 to 2-1/2 hours the most.  It went for 4 hours.  I was one tired puppy.

It took an hour to put away all the knitting stuff and then collect myself in front of my canvas and arrange the paints, palette knives, and miscellaneous art stuff.  This blank canvas stared back at me:

I've been collecting pictures of stuff to paint (e.g. flowers, blueberries, our beloved beagle, some buildings, etc).  I pulled out a picture of a pink rose and thought it would be an interesting challenge for me.  So, here's my sketch in a thinned yellow ochre wash:  

I have to tell you, my heart was not in the mood to paint.  I could tell as I was mixing the colors for the pink rose and then for the green foilage (or lack of) and background, I just wasn't happy with the colors.  So, I trudged along and applied the paint to the canvas panel and this was the so-so results of my efforts:  

I decided not to touch the painting anymore and let it sit and dry for the next few days.  Was I trying to tackle a subject that was way over my head?  Not really.  I've done several pencil sketches of roses and other flowers...it's not a new subject for me.  Was it because I was using a cheap canvas panel?  That may have something to do with it...it was from Walmart.  Was I too tired to paint?  Yes!

Lessons learned:  (1) not to use cheap art materials.  I'm using good paint and great brushes.  What was that?  You get what you paid for?  I know, I know.  No more cheapie canvas panels.  (2) Not to attempt too many hobbies in one day.  (3) Stay on target and focus on the hobby (e.g. painting) that I want to work on.

Back to the drawing board....