Painting # 61. I followed along with a video from Jason Bowen on Youtube to get a different perspective at making seascapes. This one was really just a practice as it's been a while since I've painted a seascape and I really don't have much experience making them. I plan on painting a larger one on a nice canvas for my father's birthday next month so I wanted to try a smaller one beforehand. I'd love to get some feedback if any of you see anything that can be fixed or improved. I think I just need much more practice to improve the perspective and shape of the waves. I had some difficulty with the foam here, both shaping it as well as getting the white to stay pure. I washed my filbert brush in between additions but it still tended to blend with the crimson. Bob was able to make his foam so striking, pure, and vibrant. I also had a bit of difficulty blending back the white to make the wave troughs. I took my time with this one. Overall, it took me around 2 hours and was done on a smaller canvas that had been primed with black gesso first, left to dry, and then covered with a thin coat of liquid clear + crimson. 12x16.
Hi Sunnylady, thanks for the great feedback. I will definitely make note of these wonderful suggestions for my next seascape. The funny thing is that, once I was done, I noticed there needed to be a bit of dark under the foam in the eye, so I took a liner brush with purple and went over it but I guess I did not add enough. I really appreciate you taking the time to type out this feedback. I am looking forward to seeing your dried seascape!
Lightsnow, i found really nice photos of the wave that can be used as reference. https://edgecappartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/tide-1.jpg
https://jeffreyfavero.com/product/portfolio/sunset-beach-wave-oahu-hawaii/
it is day time but still gives very nice understanding of the shape . I think photo will work so much better than just some descriptions.
I'll be looking forward to see the gift- version of seascape! I am sure it will be perfect!
Lightsnow, I found real cool artist for seascapes. Please try to follow him. You will be able to follow even it is in Russian.
I think operator work is good there. So you can follow up by just watching. You have enough expierence not to pay attention to the words any longer.
Let me list colors he has from left to right.
Titanium white
Cad yellow
Cad orange
Alizarin crimson
Phtalo blue
Phtalo green
Indigo (Prussian blue plus black color)
Burnt umber
Special brown red. With pigment PR101.
Liquid he uses is triple solvent: dammar varnish, linseed oil and pinen. Equal quantities.
Consistency of the paint every time he dips brush into the liquid is like drinking yogurt.
Try this painting. It will pay off. This is next level and I am sure your father will be super happy about this gift.
Brush for application is synthetic. Blending brush - natural bristles. 1 inch Bob for blending will work perfect.
What I do to follow him: watch for 2-3 min. Repeat on my canvas. Watch next part. Repeat again.
I wanted to say I pause after 2-3 min.
If you get stuck tell me where and I will explain what he did.
His name is Dmitry Roza.
To take a look at instruments there is another video here. They had technical problems and this had to restart streaming. https://youtu.be/PZ-D4Pyg3U0
Here is the main link: https://youtu.be/bm_S_2eB0lg
It turns out I forgot to copy it yesterday.
Thanks a lot for linking these! I'm having a look at one of the videos now. As for that gift I had mentioned, I had a specific daytime big cloud scene in mind, so I'm going to try painting what I see in my mind for once since this only happens rarely. I've saved this link and will definitely try this in the future. I can tell this is next level stuff for seascape skills. I am looking forward to seeing yours!
Thanks lightsnow. I hope it will turn alright :) I think about finishing on Saturday. I am thinking to do 2-3 of them as present for my friends but all with different moods by varying colors from little to so much.
Go for your idea. This is absolutely valuable when something is already in your mind and just asking to jump out to the canvas. Preserve that precious moment and go for it! It will turn into awesome painting!
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Lightsnow. I just finished my big seascape and waiting when it will dry. It was most challenging project I had so far.
Let me share a bit of what I learnt: eye of the wave is usually lighter but not super light in value. If you look at yours this is the lightest spot in your entire painting, but in fact sky always remains the lightest point, complemented by sun or moon path on the water (can be very light).
In the eye of the wave just make a bit more smooth transition from yellow to red through orange and add couple of strikes to show there is curve.
You need to add a bit of shadow under the foam, especially just above the eye, because it is very sharp there.
"The Light" is not equal pure white color. Try to add orange into your white to create a part of the splashes.
About brush: I was not successful with filberts so I use very old and worn out small fan brush. Your brush work with filbert is great!
On the contrary note if you add tiny bit of phtalo green to your white (complimentary color to the red and oranges here) that it barely gives any tint to the white it will sparkle the foam just simply because of the contrasting colors and eye will be able to note it and process. But do not make it obvious green -Just 99.99% white.
I think everything is very good in your painting , just main note that shadow under the foam is missing. If you mix Alizarin and phtalo green it will give you beautiful dark purplish tone, that can be used as shadow. As soon you place the shadow your wave will be 3D.