North of the Pier

 

It's SUPER fun to explore a new handmade paper from the pier at St Augustine Beach! Like every large body of water, the Atlantic Ocean is ever changing!  Light, color, and value shift with the light, clouds and the angle of the sun. Rarely does the ocean painting match up to the seascape at painting's end.  It is key not to chase the light, so I mark all passages quickly at the beginning,  and keep true to that through the finish.  I am focusing on the shifting waves, and how to describe that with watercolor here.  In addition to pushing this new softer, thinner paper, to see what it can do, I'm figuring out all that motion in the masses.  I have even used a scalpel to scratch into the waves, adding to the highlights and motion.  The ocean tide is mesmerizing, and the more I study it - the more I understand it.  All this beach time in the last months has strengthened my seascape game, and I can hardly wait for the next opportunity!  Painting number 3750 in 3750 days. 

Beach Walk

Flying with only a carry-on bag, I am using minimal painting gear in St Augustine.  Prima's Classic half pan travel set, a water brush pen, a favorite fountain pen, and a small clipboard with 6x4 papers are small enough to fit in any bag.  This makes a quick paint easy, so I can get right back to family fun time!  Painting number 3744 in 3744 days. 

Sunrise on Anastasia Island

I love beginning each morning with a sunrise paint on the beach, followed by a run!  The colors change so quickly that I want to paint another when the colors fade to morning light!  The thrill here is sitting at water's edge, studying the ebb and flow of the surf as it crashes and breaks.  The gulf side is much calmer, so this is my first real painting experience with a lively surf.  Each day, I've grown more comfortable with the colors in that movement, and how the light dances and reflects of the water.  I'm looking forward to more study with this gorgeous Atlantic, though I don't know when that will be.  I'm going to miss these days of sand and sun on Anastasia Island.  Painting number 3743 in 3743 days. 

Ocean Villa Palm

It is fun to get in a quick palm study before heading back to the beach for sunset!  We've been so busy seeing the sights, it's been hard to squeeze in a painting between the family fun.  With the small set up, and different light and color on this side of the state, I've been slow to hit my stride this week.  I need a little more time to focus on this landscape, before making it mine.  Hope to find that time tomorrow!  I do love that it feels like summer on Anastasia Island! Painting number 3741 in 3741 days.