A Beach Scene Watercolor Step by Step

At Reddi Arts I demonstrated another beach scene in watercolor.  I try to make the steps simple , and understandable.  So here they are:  Below is the final result now examine the steps...

 

 Start with the drawing, simple and loose, and mask 

for light areas that you want the sun to hit.

 I like to work top down, so after using masking fluid 

to protect the whites, start with blues and light purples 

to do the cool areas.

 Go more for larger color areas, stay away 

from small details until near the end.  

Go for luminosity and range of values.

 

Scroll right to see the larger details on this final piece.

Creating A Waterfall from Imagination!

Wet into Wet exercise!!

Nobody really thinks exercising is fun, but try this, let the horses run!  

Mix copious amounts of water and color to let these colors mix on the paper.  

The paper is upright to harness the power of gravity!

Use a hake brush for large amounts of paint in the brush.  

You can pre-wet the paper if you are feeling intimidated.  

It's just paper!

 Keep slowly adding color and let it mix. 

Leaving some white spaces will keep fresh crisp spaces for contrast.  

The color will work it's way around them.  Keeps things exciting!

 Punch in some saturated color here and there

Some scraping can hint at branches, but do while wet.

 Time to do the scary part, the tree!!  It will enhance depth!

A study of "Surf"

 

A Watercolor demo "A Day at the Beach"

If you scroll to much earlier posts there you will eventually find a step by step

illustration of what I did to arrive at this composition and these colors.

A Lesson in color mixing through Koi

If you scroll to much earlier posts there you will eventually find a step by step 

illustration of what I did to arrive at this composition and these colors. 

A Bird of Paradise!

This watercolor of a bird of paradise, one of many now magically showing up by the score by my studio, is difficult to capture, but think of it as a color wheel, but not a wheel!

My Wednesday morning Open Studio Class

I coach this energetic and fun group Wednesday mornings.

Current Schedule of Available Times for Your Art Classes

Ongoing Painting Classes at

My Barn Studio!

I can help you get in touch

with your 2020 Art bliss!

Open Studio At My Barn!

Wednesday Mornings or Afternoons at My Barn Studio Setting

3920 Sierra Madre Dr S. Jax Fl.32217 

10am to 1pm or 2pm to 5pm

Open to mediums- Acrylics and Watercolor

 

$45.per 3 hour set (your flexible rate)

or $195.in advance for six weeks of classes

(a $75. savings)

 

Call me to book your classes at (904)309-0151,

or email me at gordonmeggison@gmail.com.

review the work at 

www.gordonmeggison.com

 

Fridays

Acrylic , Watercolors or Oils

10am -1pm or

2pm to 5pm- set your dates

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Saturday Afternoons

Watercolor, Acrylic or Oil Classes

1:30pm to 4:30pm

$45.per 3 hour set (your flexible rate)

or $195.in advance for six weeks of classes

(a $75. savings)

3 positions left

 

see www.gordonmeggison.com to review my work.

Explore my extensive background in murals and fine artworks.



Call me at (904)309-0151,

or email me at gordonmeggison@gmail.com.

review the work at www.gordonmeggison.com

Watercolor View From Clarks Fishcamp

  

 Clarks Fish Camp is a rare and friendly restaurant on the Julington Creek river in Jacksonville.  It is a must see for carnivors and people who love the older southern style  (and fast disappearing places of Florida.  When you step into this restaurant (under threat by gentrification, but also global warming, it's flooded before!) you feel like you are stepping back in time.  You can sit inside with a thousand taxidermied animals and birds from all over the earth.  I am told they were given by the zoo years ago.  Or you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air, a sunset and a view across the water, while small alligators swim under and about hoping for the odd shrimp tossed from the porch seating.  While waiting for my dinner and margarita, I took pictures across the water.  

Here are the step by step photos.  I started with masking for the highlight colors on the trees and water lilies

I got the paper wet with a large brush evenly then began painting cool blues, 

then warm color washes  into the trees and water lily areas, 

switching to cools as I progressed downward.

 

Then I started introducing the greens for the tree shade areas and reflections.  

Make sure to use color richly or the down flowing water (on an easel) will 

wash it out.  This painting looks better with richly applied color.

 

I scratched into the reflections with a butter knife and added more color to the lilies 

After letting the washes dry, I removed the masking fluid. 

 I like Windsor Newton's yellow tinted type. 

Then while the dark green was still wet I used a 

bit of salt in the under story to add texture.

All that is left to do at this point is to colorize in a variety 

of greens cool and warm the white exposed areas.

 

A closeup below should give you lots to explore!