Winter Waves

Watercolor and Pastel on Arches - 4x6

"Winter Waves" 4x6 watercolor and pastel on Arches. This view of the surf at Vilano Beach was inspired by my photographs and videos after a recent storm. The air was crisp and wind had died, but the waves were spectacular.

Broken Surf - Study

 Pastel - 5x7 on UArt 600

When the winds come from on direction and them move to another, the waves can get confused and broken.  They come in and break across each other and the surf becomes choked with foam and breaking waves.

This is the final image of a process that started with a limited palette and a 20 minute timer.

I began with a simple line drawing to guide my composition.

Once I was satisfied with the basics, I selected a limited palette of mostly greens, blues, and grays of different values and intensities.

With my drawing in place and my palette selected, I set my timer for 20 minutes - 20 minutes with 20 pieces of pastel - and this is the result.

As you can see, I did very little revision from this initial painting other than to add some color and texture to the waves and foam.  

Off-Shore Wind

Pastel on UArt 400 6x9

This painting started as another test of UArt, but when I finished the basics of the main wave, I stepped back to check my progress thinking to add detail in the waves in the foreground and horizon, but I stopped. I was captivated by the contrast to the wave as it is and the almost abstract minimum of detail that remains.
This painting will not be offered for sale - I plan to keep this piece as a reminder to myself of what I can do with fewer details.

Painting can also be seen on Daily Paintworks

"After the Storm"

Two painting from 2009 that I need to put up on my blog.

 

“After the Storm, a Study in Waves”

Pastel on sanded Arches watercolor paper, 9 ¼ x 13 ¾

 

Completed, 8/11/2009

To purchase, contact me

In May of 2009, Jacksonville Beach was hit with an unusually intense storm.  After the storm had passes, I made a few sketches and took several reference photographs of the waves.  I wanted to do a large work on a full sheet of Arches paper, but I had not done anything of this nature and size before.  As preparation, I did this preliminary study to become familiar with sanded watercolor paper and the various shades of gray, blue, green, lavender, and yellow that would bring life to the painting.

 

I was so pleased with the result that I believe it should stand on its own merits.

"After the Storm, Jacksonville Beach"

Pastel on sanded Arches watercolor paper

Size - 29 x 21 1/2

Completed 9-8-2009

To purchase, contact me

When I had done a preliminary pastel paining, "After the Storm - a Study in Waves" which pleased me very much, I rendered this work on a full sheet of Arches paper.

This scene intrigues me because of the complex directions and patterns of the waves, the subtlety of the veiled sunlight on the stormy water, and the churned sand near the beach

"Leaving Together"

Oil on canvas panel, 12x9

SOLD

These sea gulls are a selection from a series of photos of a massive flight of gulls that have been my inspiration in several other works.  A large flock of gulls came and settled on the sand just where I was drawing and taking pictures.  I took a few pictures for reference.  Then the whole flock of dozens took flight together.  The light was right, the surf was great, I was in the right place... it doesn't get better that this.

I have pulled five gulls from the flock for this piece. 

Tide Lines

Oil on panel - 12x9

Sold

After a severe northeaster storm last winter, the beach at Ponte Vedra was eroded with some spectacular tide lines. The erosion cut a clear line in the beach. The extreme high tide had left its mark. The "fresh" sand and coquina shell showed spectacular color against the blue and white of the waves.

Flying with a Friend

Pastel on gatorfoam - 10x8

SOLD

I have done several sketches and reference photos of this particular flight of sea gulls.  The tide was out, but the foam was spectacular from the surf.

I am intrigued by sea gulls.  For them the air is a friend and a playground where they fly with easy mastery of their element.

This painting was done on self-sanded gatorfoam.

Breaking Light

Oil on canvas - 28x22

This painting is my reaction and interpretation Jacksonville Beach surf as the light is first breaking through clouds just after sunrise.  I had done some earlier work and taken reference photos in late November last year.  The haze and off-shore clouds kept the light diffused until the sun was well up.  It is that mystery and soft light that caught my imagination.

At high tide, the waves were not breaking until they were almost to the shore.  Though they were not large, they created some spectacular foam and reflections.

I posted a different photo of this painting using different settings on my Photoshop Editor.

Resting WIP - Jeremiah 5:22

Work In Progress

Need to finish the sand/beach today.  I want to get this finished today, tomorrow at the latest, so I can get into the JCVA show on Monday.

This photo shows changes from to the sand and foreground.  This is where I'll be working today.
Here is the WORD

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD.
      ‘Will you not tremble at My presence,
Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea,
By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it?
And though its waves toss to and fro,
Yet they cannot prevail."

Resting WIP

Taking another look at this in the daylight.  I wanted to take a photo so I have a print to mark-up.  So far there are some very nice passages and some that need work.  The sand is only the foundation.  Water and reflections and foam are coming.  I will add a flock of pelicans in the sunlight area past the breakers.  The lower left and bottom right still need work.  I think I need to add something in the open space on the left for interest and transition between the beach and the waves

Resting - WIP

This piece has gotten beyond the drawings and reference photos - it has taken on a life of its own.  I needed a photo I could print to mark-up for the final assault.

Resting - WIP

Work in Progress - where I am today

This was a try-this and wipe-it-out kind of day.  I've not gotten as much done today as I wanted to accomplish, but I have made some progress.  Painting larger canvases is a relearning experience for me.  I can remember being able to do certain things, but I can't remember how I did them.  In some ways that can be exciting and stimulating, but in other ways, it is....  Well, it's one of the frustrations I deal with.

Resting - Work In Progress

Oil on canvas, 28x22 - Wet Paint

I want this to be a picture that captures the moment from a walk on the beach last winter.  The sun had broken above the low clouds painting the breakers golden on top of the dark water.  Outside the breakers where the water was calm, a flock of pelicans were floating in the sunlight.

This photo was taken without flash. I wanted to see for myself (away from the easel) the color, value, and abstract forms of the waves, horizon, and the sky.

Gull's Beach

Oil on panel - 12x9

The concept behind this painting was some sketches and photographs I took last winter when the beach was all but deserted by all but a flock of sea gulls - thus the title, "Gull's Beach."  The weather was calm, but a swell was coming in from the Atlantic. The sunlight on the gulls cast long reflections in the wet sand.

I began this painting on March 23, but coutless interruptions and changes and wipe-outs delayed its completion until today.

Beachcombers

Pastel on UArt 12x9
Work in Progress
After 2 weeks of painting our master bedroom and bath (don't ask), I've started a new work on UArt paper. I went to the beach last week and was intrigued by the juxtaposition of a young man with his metal detector and a small flock of sandpipers. Both were combing the beach - one with technology for recreation, and the birds for daily food.
I liked the design. The tide was way out, but the sand was wet over a broad expanse.

Waiting for Dinner

Oil on Raymar canvas - 6x6

To puchase, contact me.

I spend quite a bit of time at the beach, and the shore birds and the gulls always intrigue me with their patience. They stand motionless and watch the waves wash back and forth over their feet... waiting for that next morsel.

This painting was done from drawings and reference photographs. I have tried to capture the motion of the water with its waves and foam in contrast the the lone bird motionless and waiting.

Rick Petersen

"Breaking Late"

Oil on canvas panel - 6x6

To purchase, contact me

When storms have made the slope of the beach more steep, the waves break later and closer to shore. This is what I have tried to capture in this painting. The sky is overcast, and there are no clear reflections. The water color seems to be more green and gray.

I have done waves several times in pastel, but this is my first effort in oil. I am pleased with the result, and encouraged to do more seascapes in oil.