Creating a Sunset Picture
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The
photos for the painting.
The painting was a commission
for a client as a memory of a wonderful holiday
in Puket in Thailand. The beach where the
painting was taken from had very special memories
for her and her husband. The photos, shown either
side, were the photos taken by the client for the
commission.
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Starting the Painting
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Initially
the painting is started with a loose pencil
drawing followed by the first washes in blue/grey
and golden yellows. These are the lightest colours
that will form the background. In watercolour
paintings the colours are applied light to dark.
This type of painting has to have the sky, clouds
and sunset painted first in order to apply the
trees over the top later on, giving the feeling
of transparency.
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The next
stage in the painting is to start building up
some of the shadow and foreground colours for the
beach and grass areas and the initial detail and
shadows in the trees. It is also at this stage
that the pencil sketch is partially rubbed out
with a putty rubber. We must never be frightened to use bold colours, nature has a way with colour
that is far more courageous and balanced than we
could hope to be.
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Now the
build-up. More details in the clouds on the
horizon and the sea. The first details in the
trees and the chairs by the beach are started,
more shadow work is implemented and the waves on
the foreshore start to build up. This is the time
when the painting starts to take on the the
feeling and boldness that is needed to make it
come alive.
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The first of
the finer details are now applied. More and more
layers are applied to the trees and fore ground
to give it the feeling of depth and distance.
Some of the fussy details in the trees. More
shadow under the trees to create the 3D effect
that gives you the feeling of being part of the
picture.
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The final
details are now put in, a little more shadowing
around the chairs, the most delicate details in
the palm fronds, more leaf work in the trees and
a few more waves, the people on the beach and
finally the birds, the artists little trademark,
three seagulls sometimes very well hidden.
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The image seen hear is
shown in its finished size.7cm x 8.5cm is the
average size of my original miniatures
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| I do hope that this has given a
little insight into the painting and intense fun
of creating a sunset picture in miniature
watercolour, it can become an almost fanatical
thing if you allow it, every detail must be in
place or the customer will not feel it was their
special place. People love their sunsets and it
is up to the marine artist to do their very best
to supply a lasting memory for the future. |
