Rocks, Water, reflections and shadows

Marilynn did one final demonstration on painting rocks; pebbles on a beach and rocks in a stream.

We had limited time to work on a final painting.  I choose another photo that I had been waiting to paint, one from a 2011 sailing trip to the BVI.  The photo of the 'Baths' on Virgin Gorda is filled with tropical blue water and sky, large boulders, shadows and reflections.  As amazing as it is above water, it was even better under water.

Carol had a great suggestion on how to achieve the color of the tropical water; by using an under painting of staining yellow.  Marilynn helped me work on the shadows and reflections in the water as well as on the rocks.  I used a variegated wash for the sky, starting with yellow at the horizon and adding blue at the top of the paper and letting them mix.  Since the photo was taken at mid day the reflections and shadows are subtle, but still add a lot to the painting.

Finally we cleaned up the studio and got ready for the student exhibit where all the classes displayed what they had spent the week working on.

Finally we cleaned up the studio and got ready for the student exhibit where all the classes displayed what they had spent the week working on.  Ours were just two of the thirteen classes being taught that week.  It is always amazing to see what we all managed to accomplish in just a week!