North Side of Howard Beach

 

The white sand of Howard Beach is one of my favorite things to paint in Tarpon Springs! This north side is quiet and narrow, a perfect place for reflection and solitude.  A fisherman walked far from the beach and the water was only up to his knees.  It's a great place to look for little creatures in the water, because the water is so very clear. I'll think of these beaches all year long until I return again to paint them.  Painting number 5120 in 5120 days. 

Lifeguard Shack at the Beach

 

Another day, another beach! I love what they've done with the lifeguard shack! The yellow and red really pop against the blue of ocean and sky.  I'm painting this one loosely, with quick marks and strokes.  Though I've painted the umbrellas in their natural blue, I have the strong desire to paint them red, orange or yellow at the very least.  Since that paint is thick, I'll let it dry a bit first.  Then, I'm totally boosting their impact!  Painting number 5108 in 5108 days. 

Causeway Clouds

 

I found my way to the beach after a day spent at Starkey Park and Ranch with family.  I would have loved to paint there, but it didn't work out.  My family's schedule is often not my own.  When I grabbed my easel out of the car, I realized I was missing the part that holds my panel.  I retraced my steps along the beach, but high tide has totally changed it.  I charged ahead to my painting with only a little light left before sunset. With every brushstroke, the day's stress melted away.  Perhaps I'll find that part or maybe I'll buy some clamps. I have a spare at home, but that doesn't help me here.  Painting number 5104 in 5104 days. 

St Augustine Dunes and Pier

We arose early, to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic.  After an early 5k run to the pier and back, I grabbed my gear for a quick paint.  The dunes are tall near the pier, and more dramatic, so I walked a good bit towards our before setting up.  A couple of fire ants found my toes in the sand, so I moved much closer to the water.  It is SO refreshing when those waves lap up over my feet!  I could get used to this! What an amazing way to start the day!  ♥️🎨

Howard Beach

What a joy to stand on this white beach and paint!! My very first spot upon check in was right here at Howard Beach.  A perennial favorite, my cares slip away with every brushstroke and lap of the ocean at my feet.  It feels good to be using my oils again, after focusing on my inks.  Rich and buttery, oils are so different from ink and watercolor.  I'm going to enjoy every golden hour spent along this coast, and relish my painting time completely.  I truly needed this art therapy time!  Painting number 3685 in 3685 days. 

Morning at Sunset Beach

After yesterday's battle at the preserve with Florida's biting yellow flies, today I thought a day at the beach was in order.  After framing two earlier paintings, and turning in one, I headed to this new beach on my way to another favorite, wanting to check it out.  Well, I stayed for two paintings and didn't make it to Howard Park at all.  I first walked the beach, stepping through the warm gulf coast water, sand between my toes as I wound through the palm trees.  This Sunset Park is lovely, and so very paintable!   I set up in the shade of a palm, listening to the waves lap at the shore, visiting with others as they enjoyed the beach.  There are many birds here, more than the other beaches I've painted this week.  The breeze was calm and the temperature perfect for the entire process.  This painting has truly been a day at the beach!  Painting number 3189 in 3189 days. 

Howard Beach

The sand between my toes, sun on my skin and coastal breezes are probably what I love best about Florida!  After driving through torrential rain last night, the very first thing on my mind this morning was relaxing on the beach!  After a not so quick spin around Howard Island in Tarpon Springs, I decided on this shady spot on the beach to set up. Though the breezes were strong, the heavy duty tripod I got from my dad held my pochade firmly. I sketched my composition out with my brush, and leisurely let the painting unfold.  I didn't do an ink sketch first, and I probably should have.  I already have a slightly different composition in mind for the next one.  I enjoyed painting such a peaceful coastline and visiting with others soaking up the Florida sunshine.  Time slips away when I'm painting on a beach, the sound of the surf mesmerizing me.  I'm absolutely going to bask in every moment here.  Painting number 3186 in 3186 days. 

Palette Knife Sailing

Palette Knife Sailing
Oil on wood panel, palette knife, 4x6
purchase here

Yesterday’s watercolor left me want to apply thick, juicy oils with a palette knife!  So, today, that is exactly where I head!  Working small, as I am squeezing in this painting time between yard work and a bridal shower for my niece, I start on a 4x6 panel.  First applying a thin layer of color with my knife, I then skim that surface with thicker paint.  I really like the way the colors mixed in the sky with the knife - I am going to have to try more of this!  New on the palette today - Gamblin's radiant turquoise.  It is the very opaque light turquoise paint that is lightly stroked into the sky and water reflections.  For that very sunlit yellow color - I have used Gamblin's radiant yellow as well as lemon cad yellow.  These little pops of color add sparkle to the sunset.  It is SO fun to completely paint this using the knife - it is a great exercise for improving palette knife skills! There is so much to how pulling the knife in different ways will make different marks on the panel. I think perhaps the trickiest parts were pulling the paint on either side of the sails, and the sails themselves. I love coming back to the palette knife in this way. Maybe I'll continue in this strain for a few days....This is painting number 910 in 910 days.

Sailing the Ocean Blue

Sailing the Ocean Blue
Oil on hardboard panel, 7x5
purchase here

Some days, I pick up my brushes and just feel like painting a certain subject.  Today, I was longing for warm seas and vintage sailing.  I have added some grumbacher's greenish umber for the depth in the ocean, as well as my new fav Rembrandt's ultramarine blue deep.  I've used loose strokes to bump up the movement in sky and water, with choppy highlight strokes to lift the waves.  The primed pale yellow of the panel pops through, adding warmth to the cool blues and greens.  It is important to ground water vessels with a dark shadow crease at the base of the ship.  Without it, the boat will seem to be pasted onto the water, instead of sitting in it.  Painting number 781 in 781 days.