Sandy Lawn

Every spring there is a covering of green on the beach at Doheny State Beach.

This plant looks innocent enough but has some spikes on it. Beware if in bare feet.

On the Horizon

A couple of years ago I was given a Canson Montval art board when I attended a workshop. It won't accept oil paints so I decided to do a painting with my acrylics.

Probably because it was free, I decided to try something a little different and more abstract than usual. I also worked to be less slavish to my source photograph using it more for inspiration.

I am very happy with the result.

'Darkening Horizon' 8"x10" acrylic on board.

Flowering Work

I've been painting again and here are the results.

'Solitude Awaits Below' 8"x10" Oil on Board.

'Gerbera Trio' 5"x5" Acrylic on Canvas.

Sea For Yourself

As I think I have said before, no matter how often I go to the beach (which is not as often as I would right now), there is always something interesting to see.

I love to look at the whole scene and see the various colours in the sky and ocean according to the weather and time of day.

This is one of my favourite spots to go to as there is always a wealth of bird life (during the non-tourist times of year)

There were the usual egrets and herons as well as curlews and sandpipers (not pictured) which I can look at time and time again.

I don't forget to look down as I walk (particularly since there are many rocks, pebbles, and seaweed at the shoreline which could trip me up). However, on this particular day I spotted some seaweed I've never seen before. It looked like it had escaped from a kingdom of snow and ice (such as that found near the start of 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe')

Once I noticed it, I realised that there were several different types.

Then I decided to focus on all the various colours and textures along the stretch of beach I was walking on.

I don't have a large expensive camera so I was really happy with the degree of sand texture I was able to capture.

From a distance the seaweed doesn't look particularly attractive but get up close and there is a world of beauty to see.

Colouring In

The next step in the drawing exercise, I started last time, is to make a chart or plan of the colours I want to use.

I get all my different pencil sets out and try the colours that seem to most closely match those in my subject photograph.

I forgot about the tiny bit of yellow I'll need for the bird's legs. I don't quite have the right colour for the palest blue in the water but I can layer the blue with some white to lighten it up.

A Perfect Storm

We had a lot of rain over the weekend, rain that is badly needed. But what a difference it made to the scenery.

This is a photograph of the main beach that I like to walk along.

Add some rain and clouds and it is quite a different look to the scene. More dramatic but still with its own beauty.

 Here is the dried up creek bed before the rain.

After the rain.

This shows some of the rubbish that has come down the creek and collected in this corner.

The birds are happy to see the rain. There are some curlews, seagulls, and avocets there.

And ducks.

 Let's not forget the blue heron and egret.

A large group of seagulls sitting further up the creek staying out of the wind on the beach.

More rubbish has been thrown up onto the beach by the waves.

Drawing On

It is still difficult for me to spend time drawing but I miss it. So I decided to do a little at a time by splitting the tasks into five minute tasks. Eventually those five minutes will add up to a coloured pencil drawing. At least that is the plan.

First I chose a photograph. This is a 4"x6" photograph and that is the size I decided to do. I'm not a great lover of seagulls but I liked the reflections and texture of the water. Usually I chose a drawing for its challenge rather than liking the picture for itself.

Because the drawing will be the same size as the photograph, I could just trace the main features of the drawing. 

It is perfectly okay to trace an image. I know I can draw and I don't have to prove it to myself or anyone else and tracing saves time. However, if you are learning to draw then drawing items from life is recommended. Photographs flatten objects so practicing drawing from life helps you remember that objects are three-dimensional. When I was learning to draw (of course I am still learning) I would draw anything I could around the house. I even drew a roll of toilet paper once to practice a white item on white paper. Plus it is good to learn how to draw items that are very soft up to very hard.

Here is my tracing. I do have graphite paper that you can put under your tracing paper to transfer the picture onto your drawing paper. However, I find it transfers extra graphite where I am leaning on the paper but I just may be too messy

So I usually turn it over and go over all the lines before turning it back over and tracing over all the lines again with the drawing paper underneath. 

This leaves a faint image of the tracing on your paper. It is now ready to add colour to.

I should add that the drawing paper is from a larger sheet of Royal Brites. I bought this so long ago that I can't remember what the weight is (it doesn't say this on the label) but it isn't a very heavy paper. Probably as thick as card stock sold in craft shops.

In the Heron Now

Walking on the beach and catching sight of a Blue Heron is always uplifting and restorative. I think I have more pictures of this Heron than I do of my husband!

I don't see a lot of shells on this beach and especially not one as nice as this.

The beach is a nature preserve so collecting shells is not allowed (though some people do). I photograph and move on.