
Drawing challenge: Something from the ocean
I don’t know about everyone…and I’d love it if you told me, 😀 … but I love starting a canvas not knowing what it is I want to paint, and just waiting for something to evolve out of the mess.
This is what I did on Wednesday and Thursday. Well, actually, I knew I wanted to paint something from the ocean as part of this drawing challenge, and I sort of had it in the back of my mind that maybe jellyfish might be fun, and also I knew I wanted to use acrylics and not oils and have some immediate gratification without having to wait for two weeks for the oil to be dry enough, but apart form that this 30″ x 40″ canvas was an open book.
So I toned it with some Tri-Art sludge, (this is a great product in this line of not so great products), and started painting in some watery colours.
Then I used more paint and a spray water bottle to break up, drip and distress the third layer of paint. The jellyfish-like circles were made by tracing around the cat’s plastic food bowl…lol. (Hint: A bunched up length of masking tape makes a great handle on the back of the bowl so you can lift it off the canvas without getting fingerprints in the circle or distorting it.)
Then I stood back and looked at the painting so far and saw great towers of kelp, and just like that, my jellyfish turned into kelp forests. 😀 Whatayagonnado?
I walked away from the canvas, came back, grabbed a water soluble marker and drew in more kelp, then painted it in and darkened the lights.
This is how I left it last night, (left), and, when I came back to it this morning, (right), I didn’t hate it. Lol – it happens. But I so love the photos I took of the painting in the dappled sunlight of the patio. Wish I could get that effect with paint. Must practice more.
This morning I ran to my local art supply store and bought some Golden glazing medium, fun stuff that, and glazed some light back into the painting, and suggested a school of herring with a bit of blue and glazing medium.
And so here it is. A forest of giant Pacific sea kelp with a school of herring straight out of the rich waters of the beautiful Pacific to my living room. (Wouldn’t this painting make a beautiful stained glass window?)
Come stop by and see all the brilliant briny ideas happening with: Patrice, Marian, Ariane, Melodye, Tammie, Eric, Barbara, Joke, Jennifer, and Nadine (who probably will).
Ida P. Krause
Wow this is super cool looking. You are a very talented lady.
Jennifer J. Chow
Love this calming painting, Veronica! Count me in for adding a pic of food from the ocean 😉 http://jenniferjchow.com/2015/06/12/chowder-fries/
Patty/NS
OMG it is gorgeous! Are you planning to keep or sell?
joanne
I know exactly what you mean!
I’ve been painting today – and completely surprised myself.
I haven’t been near an ocean for over two years (unforgivable!)
But the painting was blue 🙂
Hope you have a great weekend away!
xx
Robert Burnett
incredible depth ,like having a window under the sea.
Tammie
yes, i love beginning a piece without knowing what i am going to create. most my pieces are like that. but not this week. this week i found inspiration in a photo of a friend. Your sea weed is awesome.
I was late sharing this weekend because i also was off camping in the mountains without wi-fi etc.
thank you for hosting!
georgeplace2013
As a non-artist that blows my mind! I am in awe.
Veronica
Hello there Debi, thank you so much, and nice that you left your addy because now I can come visit you. 😀
di
I love the depth and movement of the kelp.
Veronica
Thank you so much Diane. 😀
Ariane Reichardt
Chapeau, dear Veronica! Your painting from the ocean is just fantastic. It is deep like the sea… like the subconscious mind.
Thank you for hosting this theme!
xo Ariane.
Veronica
Aw thank you so much Ariane. It’s always my pleasure to host. 😀
daryledelstein
oh my these are all so lovely … and thanks for the larger type .. she writes no longer squinting
barbaraboettcher
Hello Veronica, I really like your painting, although I don’t see much of the jellyfish I enjoyed the ride of your evolving painting and like the depth you created with the different layers. For me absolutely gorgeous and yes a window would be awesome with it.
Joke Konings
You really should continue painting. You might surprise yourself. I also love to see what light is doing in a painting. Go for it!!
eric
Nice to see how your painting evolves to this beatiful result: the ocean deep down under.
Catiean
Veronica you are an amazing painter. This piece just draws me in and makes me feel like I am in the ocean myself. Love the depth and composition.
tinyWOOLF
thank you for sharing the process and progress. amazing blues, and dizzying perspectives… what are you like? n?
Veronica
I know! What am I like? You should have seen today’s disaster…lol.