I’ve laid out my materials, working with primarily with Terry Ludwig, Diane Townsend pastels. In addition I pulled some drawers with Rembrandt and Sennelier pastels just in case I need additional colors to choose from.
I set up my easel taping my UArt pastel paper to black foam core board, and printed black and white of my original photo for value reference. I put up my iPad with my photo reference and was ready to start. I had previously used a light blue pastel pencil to sketch in a rough idea of the seascape.
My preference when doing a seascape is to work form top to bottom, so sky in first using dark blues, lighter blue greys, light violet blue, and a soft white.
I continue to work on the sky and then move down, establishing the horizon line with a dark blue violet, before using ultramarine blue and lighter blues for background sea. Moving on to the waves, I start with the dark values under the waves then lighter blue greys, greens and a bit of yellow green and yellow.
As you can tell, I continued working the sky and background sea while most of the focus was on finishing the waves that entailed glazing, layering, blending what I call “sea colors.” I work toward an impressionistic version of my original photo and when I come to a place that “speaks” to me I call it done.
3 thoughts on “2021 How I started the year off with painting a pastel seascape.”
Donna rewer
I’m so impressed with your work! Obviously it is bringing you satisfaction and joy in your retirement. So happy for you!!
I’m so impressed with your work! Obviously it is bringing you satisfaction and joy in your retirement. So happy for you!!
I loved your blog article. Much thanks again. Much obliged. Lavern Jemmott
Excellent post. I am dealing with many of these issues as well.. Jayson Divlio