A few days ago we returned from a splendid family trip to South Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico. Before going I had envisioned doing all these small paintings on the beach under my umbrella with my cigar easel box on my lap. I did get to paint several times in such a way but mostly ended up playing in the water and walking along the beach. It was so lovely.
Below I have posted my attempts to paint the amazing ever changing ocean which I found both extremely difficult and exciting. I had many, many day dream thoughts of living for long periods of time on the beach so I could paint everyday and figure out how to convey what I was seeing.
Day One:
Studies in watercolor with thoughts of how I would paint in oil. So much to see--- horizon gradations, folding of the waves, reflections from the sky on the water, reflections of the cresting waves on the surface, the wet sand....
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| watercolor on paper |
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| watercolor on paper |
My first try in oil of the waves and sand. So many colors in the water, it was hard to keep it simple.
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| 4 1/2" x 6 3/4" oil on linen panel |
Day Three:
Trying again to understand the waves and the sand as the light continually changes and the waves come and go.
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| 4" x 7 1/2" oil on linen panel |
Day Four:
Study from the balcony.
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| watercolor on paper |
Day Five:
More studies from the balcony.
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| watercolor on paper |
Day Six:
After an afternoon of swimming, my last painting done from the balcony. I could of stayed there for a year....
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| 6"x8" oil on linen panel |
