Beach painting – then and now

I’ve been working on more landscape paintings lately. I thought it might be good to look back and remind myself just how far I’ve come. Today I have a recent beach painting to share and a few to look back on.

So here we go back to 2017

Beach watercolor – 2017

and then 2018

Beach watercolor 2018

Below is a recent beach painting before final details were added. I really like the color palette and the simplicity of the sky.

Beach watercolor 2022

I decided to add a few birds and some grasses in the foreground. I think that really completes the scene.

Beach watercolor 2022

I can definitely see the progress I’ve made over the years and that makes me really happy. As they say, practice makes progress! 😊

I am enjoying the journey and trying to remember that not every painting will be a success. When I am unhappy with a painting I find that taking time to step back and reflect on what worked and didn’t work helps me with the next painting.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do something you love. Until next time, keep playing and having fun!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Little seascape painting

Today I have a seascape to share with you. I was playing in my 5×7 inch sketchbook and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Happy Sunday! 💙

My first step was color mixing. I painted a few samples in my sketchbook documenting the colors that I planned on using.

The next step was deciding where to place a light pencil mark for the horizon line. The space is quite limited in the 5 x 7 inch sketchbook but I didn’t let that stop me.

I worked from top to bottom with the wet on wet technique. I simply wet the paper by brushing on clean water first and then added some paint on the damp paper.

I like to focus on the sky first and then move on to the middle and foreground areas. There’s something very calming about painting a water scene and I love all the blues of the sea.

I placed a matt over the painting to see how it might look in a frame. I think it looks pretty good that way. 😊 I hope you make time to play in your sketchbook and have fun.

Until next time, share a smile and shine on.

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram at pattyanneart

A few landscape paintings

It’s been a while since I posted a landscape painting so here we go.

Happy Thursday! 💙

I really like the distant hills in this landscape. The pine trees and the birds make me very happy.

I have a few in progress shots of the next landscape. I painted and let things dry overnight before continuing. That allowed me time to view my painting with fresh eyes and make some decisions.

Here I started out with some rocky hills in the distance.

The next step was to soften the sky a little and work on the foreground.

While I was happy with the rocks added in the front, I felt like the rocks in the center were too dark and needed to be lightened up. Also the distant hill on the left seemed too dark as well.

The white gouache that I added did provide some nice highlights but I knew that wasn’t enough.

It’s one of those things…. risk overworking the painting or just leave it as is. I decided that the risk was worth it since I still wasn’t satisfied.

9 x 12 inch – Rocky shore watercolor painting

I worked on lifting some of the color on the rocks in the center using a damp brush. I tried to be gentle and not damage the paper. I also used a damp tissue and blotted some areas. Both techniques worked pretty well.

I’m happy with the improvements and glad that I kept going. Whether successful or not, this painting did provide me with an opportunity to try various techniques and build my confidence. I will keep showing up, having fun, and enjoy the process.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love. Until next time, share a smile and stay excellent!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram at pattyanneart

Watercolor warm up

Today I have a simple watercolor warm up to share.

Hope your day is wonderful! 💙

This little landscape warm up in my sketchbook was a great way to loosen up and play a bit.

It’s always fun to watch the colors mix and mingle on the paper. I love that it ended up looking like waves rolling in.

I hope you take the time to do what you love and enjoy the process. Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram at pattyanneart

Abstract watercolor – 2 views

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend.

Happy Independence day! ❤️ 🇺🇸

I painted this watercolor landscape using a large flat brush and a limited color palette.

I was pretty happy with the results. When I decided I was finished painting I flipped it around to let it dry a bit upside down.

I was a bit shocked by how much I loved this painting upside down. It made me smile and think, how did this even happen?? It looks like a water view now. There’s always something to learn from each painting.

I waited a while before removing the tape around the border and deciding where to place my signature.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love. Until next time, share a smile and shine on!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Rocky Beach landscape

Today I have a watercolor landscape to share with you.

Happy Sunday, friends! 💚

12 x 16 inch Rocky Beach

This painting was a good practice with some mixed results. I think it’s a good time to do a little self critique. There’s always something to learn from each painting. Hopefully I will be able to carry a few of these lessons forward to improve my next landscape.

The sky:
It is a bit too moody.
Maybe a larger brush and brighter color in the sky would have been a better choice.

The distant mountains:
I really like how the mountains turned out with interesting color and depth.
Using the credit cards here helped me stay rather loose and create some nice texture.

The water:
Nice gentle waves that were not overworked.
The large flat brush to the rescue here.

Beach foreground:
The sandy area fades nicely into the water.
The rocky area in front should have probably had more detail and maybe been broken up into smaller random shapes.

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love. Until next time, share a smile and stay excellent!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Join me on Instagram at pattyanneart

Silent Sunday watercolor

9 x 12 inch – Crashing Waves at the Beach

🌸. Patty Anne. 🌸

Join me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Silent Sunday – at the beach watercolor

At the Beach watercolor painting inspired by Jodi Hand on Skillshare,
Mini watercolor landscapes.

Hope your Sunday is wonderful! 💚

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

Follow me on Instagram @pattyanneart

Thursday – calm and soothing blues

A few calm and soothing images to share with you today. 💙

Hope you enjoy…

Soothing ocean blues

 

Sandy beach blues

 

Lake Tahoe blues

 

Until next time, sending love and prayers for better days ahead.

🌸  Patty Anne  🌸

Join me on Instagram @pattyanneart

A second look and a new view

A few months ago, I set aside a few paintings that I was unhappy with. I recently pulled them out with the idea of using them as part of a new mosaic project.

My first painting was a seascape in a larger format that didn’t really speak to me. After cutting off part of the painting to create some small square tiles, I had a second look that changed my plan.

This misty seashore emerged and my opinion about this piece suddenly changed.

I was amazed that simply resizing would save this painting. 💙

The second painting of abstract pink tulips, also on the chopping block, was spared as well. 

After focusing on the right half of this painting, I was much happier.

 

Still not a favorite piece, but I love the greens and background colors.

Many lessons learned here and two paintings saved.😊

I hope you are inspired to create art and do more of what you love.

Until next time, have a great week and shine on!

🌸 Patty Anne 🌸

 

I’m on Instagram @pattyanneart

Patty Anne Art