Painting at Pescadero: A Guide to Composition and Technique
Introduction
- Beautiful day at Pescadero.
- Exploring a new composition focusing on rocks and water colors.
- Calm water offers a unique opportunity for capturing colors.
Compositional Ideas
- Plan to capture light-colored rocks with rocks leading into the composition.
- Challenges with this scene due to flat light and lack of shadows.
- Sketches prioritize big shapes, followed by more specific details.
Painting Process
Establishing Darks
- Use of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna for darks.
- Aim for transparency using these colors.
- Shadows on cliffs and rocks vary in darkness and color.
Mixing Colors for Water
- Mix of Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, and Dioxazine Purple.
- Palette as a mid-tone gauge to judge color values.
- Leave areas unpainted to show white water around rocks.
Painting Methodology
- Work from broad to specific: sketch -> colors.
- Initial block-in to establish composition, then modify colors.
- Keep mixtures thin for subsequent layers.
Adding Colors
- Touch of yellow added to foreground water for transparency.
- Enjoy the freedom and abstract nature of painting.
- Avoid compositions that make rocks awkwardly exit the frame.
Adjustments and Techniques
- Wipe out white water patterns with a paper towel for appeal.
- Mix for clouds: Titanium White, Dioxazine Purple, gray mixture.
- Use random shapes and patterns in sky for interest.
Rocks and Shadows
- Different colors in rocks: greenish-brown and blue-gray.
- Preservation of darks initially laid in.
- Use Liquin for quick coverage and transparency.
- Adjust shadows and colors slightly for natural variety.
Final Stages
Block-In Completion
- Consider adding white water with Titanium White and Ultramarine Blue.
- Reinforce darks with thicker mixtures of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna.
- Adjust water colors to ensure balance between darks and lights.
Final Details
- Added dark purple areas to represent submerged rocks.
- Varied colors in water reflecting depth (purple to blue-green).
- Directional strokes to mimic rock planes and natural shoreline.
Conclusion
- Constantly changing weather adds to the complexity.
- Stick to original composition ideas despite changes.
- Encouragement to stay creative; additional resources on Patreon and Studio Gallery.
This guide covers painting techniques and compositional strategies used in capturing a scene with unique elements of rocks and water, emphasizing the artist's journey from initial concept to completed work.