Corona Del Mar Mixed Media

Cornona Del Mar mixed media studio painting.  This painting is water color with pastel on sanded paper.  This painting measures

There are some days that are so special.  The light revealing the landscape in such a way that it burns itself into your memory.  Some days are so strong in their impression that they serve as inspiration years later.  This day was one of those days.  I remember the contrast between the light and shadow on the boulders along the shore.  The lights were so light and the darks were so dark.

I start with water color.  I build a value pattern and a rough map for the overall composition of the painting.

The water color under painting suggests the direction of the color and value choices for the painting.  The under painting is also intended to be a base to create dynamic interaction of shape and color.

The muted gray under painting allows the pure pigment of the pastels to stand out.  The shift from painting to drawing increases the clarification of shapes and allows for a wide variety of shape edges.

The give and take between the water color and the pastel helps to define the atmospheric perspective within the painting.  By backing off of the application pastel in the background of the painting, the illusion of distance is enhanced.

As the contrast in values becomes more prominent in the foreground, the exploration of color begins. 

At this point in the painting the focus becomes finishing.  Finish the shapes, color, and value.

Don't over paint. Don't under paint.  Know when to stop, and trust yourself.

The finished painting.  Corona Del Mar  19"X 27"

The value shot.  

The detail shot.