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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.

step one

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?

step two

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.

step three

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.

still like it

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.

closeups

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?)

003 copy copy

Come stop by and see all the brilliant briny ideas happening with: Patrice, Marian, Ariane, Melodye, Tammie, Eric, BarbaraJoke, Jenniferand Nadine (who probably will). 

 

Comments: 19

  • June 12, 2015
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    Wow this is super cool looking. You are a very talented lady.

  • June 12, 2015
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    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

    June 12, 2015
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    OMG it is gorgeous! Are you planning to keep or sell?

  • June 12, 2015
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    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

  • June 12, 2015
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    incredible depth ,like having a window under the sea.

  • June 13, 2015
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    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!

  • June 14, 2015
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    As a non-artist that blows my mind! I am in awe.

  • di

    June 14, 2015
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    I love the depth and movement of the kelp.

  • June 14, 2015
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    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.

  • daryledelstein

    June 15, 2015
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    oh my these are all so lovely … and thanks for the larger type .. she writes no longer squinting

  • June 15, 2015
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    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.

  • June 15, 2015
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    You really should continue painting. You might surprise yourself. I also love to see what light is doing in a painting. Go for it!!

  • June 15, 2015
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    Nice to see how your painting evolves to this beatiful result: the ocean deep down under.

  • June 16, 2015
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    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.

  • June 17, 2015
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    thank you for sharing the process and progress. amazing blues, and dizzying perspectives… what are you like? n?

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