Making Final Adjustments to Ocean Wave Oil Painting

After looking at my oil painting of an ocean wave seascape I decided to make a few value and color changes. The foreground wave skimming along the sand appeared too dark so I lightened that area. I added a greenish color to the light area of the crashing wave. This is closer to the actually color of the wave itself.

These are all steps I take when finishing up a painting. Taking a few days or weeks to view the painting and deciding if I can make improvements.

4th Step In Painting a Breaking Ocean Wave In Oil Paint

Well I'm continuing my oil painting of an ocean wave breaking along a sandy beach. You can see below the different stages of the oil painting from my pencil sketch to where I am now. I have been working on the wave and the foreground water. Then I worked on more of the sand texture, This will take some time and I will be adding small shells and seaweed if I think it will help by leading the eye into the painting. I will be adding more foam in the foreground water too. The size of this original oil painting is 16" x 20". Check back to see how I finish up this seascape painting of a breaking ocean wave.

2nd Stage In Painting an Ocean Wave with a Sandy Beach in Oil Paint

At this stage in the seascape oil painting of an ocean wave and a sandy beach, I have completed the initial block-in of the ocean wave and the beach. Basically I have covered the canvas with paint. I am trying to follow my pencil sketch except I am using color. Below the pencil sketch shows the placement of everything in the painting and it also shows the values. The 2nd stage does not have any detail but I try to put as much of the colors in that I anticipate using in later stages of this oil painting seascape. Also I can see areas at this stage where I need to change the values. I will continue working this weekend on the beach painting so check back next week to see how it progresses.

New Seascape Oil Painting Underway-View Each Step

The canvas size is 18"x 24" for this oil painting of a rocky shoreline. My first step was to tone the entire canvas. I did this with a dark muted red oil paint. While it was still wet I used a rag to rub out some of the color. The first photo shows what it looked like when I finished this step. As you can see I have my composition and basic values on the canvas at this point.

The next day I was satisfied with the overall composition so I started painting the sky and background. As I moved forward in the painting I used warmer and darker and or more intense color.

Next I painted the water, some of the bacground color still shows through at this point. Notice how I changed the color and value of the shallow water in the foreground. I then started working on the rocky cliff. My next post will be a continuation of this seascape oil painting of a rocky shoreline.

Painting a Seascape Step by Step - Working On the Composition with a Sketch

I have started a new painting and this is the first step for a seascape painting in oil. My sketch is done in black and grey marker and I am working on the composition of the painting at this stage. As you can see this sketch is of two girls playing at the beach. So the background is water with sand in the front left corner. At the top is the orange floats that surround the swim area. I'm not sure yet if I will keep those in the painting, if they add to the painting then I will include them. So at this stage I am working out where I will place the focal point (the girls) and where the dark and lightest areas are in the painting.
Check back to see the next step in this seascape of kids playing at the beach. 

Painting of Sandpiper Birds Running On the Beach - First Step In Painting A Seascape On a Sofa Table

Painting of Sandpiper Birds Running On the Beach - The first step in painting on a wood sofa table is to layout the drawing on the table. I started the drawing in pencil on the table top. When I was satisfied with the composition I painted a thin layer of paint on the table using the pencil sketch as a guide. I am painting over the textured surface on the table and I have decided to leave that texture under my painting.  I'm using acrylic paints because they are durable and they dry quickly. The painting will be a vignette on the table top so I will fade the edges of the painting into the original white textured background. The size of the table is 16" by 44" long with a height of 29 inches. I will describe the next step in painting of sandpiper birds on the beach in my next post in a couple days so check back to follow along.

Seascape Painting In Oil - Step 4 of Ocean Wave Painting

 

I have painted highlights in the background waves and then continued painting the wave. The wave is painted with viridian green in the darkest area of the wave and I add white as the wave lightens.   The breaking wave is painted with white in the brightest areas. In the shadow the breaking foam is darkened with the sky color and a little alizarin crimson. 

The rocks are painted with cerulean blue and burnt sienna. The shadows on the rocks I used viridian with the burnt sienna.  For the lighter sections of the rock I add some of the white/cerulean blue mixture from the sky.

Following my photograph for reference I start to work on the swirling foam. I am using all white and some sky color mixed in for the lightest foam. Painting around the darker water patterns I try to make the foam look like it is moving. I will continue to work on the swirling foam, this will take some time to complete. I will hopefully have this part of the painting near completion for my next post. Meanwhile I will be painting!

Thanks, PJ Cook

Seascape Painting - Second Step Is a Color Sketch

I painted a quick color sketch in oil on canvas textured paper. I worked small maybe 10" x 12" and used just a few colors, cerulean blue, burnt umber and white. I want to portray movement or action for the wave. There is contrasting value in the curl of the wave where inside the wave it is in shadow and the wave breaking next to that is white spray. There is not much detail in this quick painting, it's purpose is to give me an idea for the color I will be using for the painting.
My next step will be starting the painting on the canvas.

Starting A Seascape Painting - The First Step is a Value Sketch

My next painting project is a seascape in oil. I am going to work from photos I took near Beavertail Light in Rhode Island. The shore is very rocky there, it almost looks like the Maine coast. I have a few nice photos of waves breaking near the rocks. My rough sketch shown here I did in black and grey marker. I wanted to establish the basic values of the painting to see if the composition worked. The long breaking wave with the curl and spray will be the focal point. It has beautiful green color under the curl of the wave. I pay attention to the light source and the shadows. There are dark wet rocks in the foreground and foam from the breaker. My next step will be a color sketch done in oil but painted quickly. I will take the time to do this step to decide on the colors I will use for the painting. I will have the next step in a couple days.

Beach Runners - Watercolor Painting of Sandpipers Running On the Sand

This is a painting I did of some little sandpipers that were at a beach on Long Island Sound. I watched these birds scurrying on the sand at the waters edge. I did a few sketches and took photos and painted this watercolor in my studio. This painting is 15"x 29" overall and is framed in a whitewashed frame that compliments the painting nicely. This first photo above is a closeup of the painting. I used a nice bright blue for the water and added texture to the sand. I painted the birds realistically and showed them in different running positions.
With the long horizontal format of the painting I was able to include several of the birds. The painting is double matted in acid free mat board and comes with a off white/biege driftwood like frame. Price: $450. Contact me with any questions about the painting or purchasing the painting. Thanks, PJ

Decorative Bar Stool - hand painted blue beach scene

I have finished the acrylic painting on this bar stool. The legs have the same white wash wood grain effect as the beach path scene that I painted first. That bar stool can be seen in the previous post. I have the thick protective finish on the top so it is very durable.

Price: $349.
plus shipping

If you would like to purchase a bar stool contact me by email at pj@pjcookartist.com

Latest Beach Painting Finished

This is my latest acrylic beach painting. I have this painting on the back of a wood chair. I am currently finish the wood grain effect for the chair. It is a whitewash effect so it will look great with any beach or nautical decor. I added the beach roses to the path, I think it adds nice color.
I applied a thick gloss finish to the painting, it gives it some depth. This is the third chair for the beach series. I plan on having four chairs included in the set, one more to go!

The picture to the right is my finished bar stool with a beach path painting on the seat. This path does not have the fence just the beach roses. If you would like information on purchasing any of these send me an email pj@pjcookartist.com

I Have Finished Painting 2 Seascapes On Bar Stools

I have finished painting 2 bar stools with an acrylic seascape on the tops of the bar stools. They are 30" high and made of solid wood. They have whitewash wood on the legs and a thick clear finish over the painting for durability. They would look great in any beach, coastal decor. Each bar stool has an original painting on the seat. For purchase info please email me at pj@pjcookartist.com
Thanks, PJ

Handpainted Decorative Bar Stools

I have been painting 2 bar stools that would look great in a nautical or beach decor setting. The photos shown here are from my work table as the tops were drying. On the top surface of the first bar stool is a painting of 2 adirondack chairs on a dock overlooking the water. The bar stool legs are painted to look like driftwood with a whitewash wood grain effect. I have been using acrylic paint for the scene because it is so durable. I applied a thick clear finish on the top surface of the stool so it is extremely durable and it looks great with the thick glossy finish.

My painting on the second bar stool is of a beach path with roses. The sky and sea are a bright pretty blue. There is an inviting beach chair on the beach.

These sturdy wood stools are 30" tall and would make a great addition to any beach cottage decor. I will be painting more bar stools with new scenes to go with these first two. Please contact me for more info on the bar stools or for purchasing information .
Thanks,
P.J. Cook
email - pj@pjcookartist.com

Painting Two in Nautical Series - Hand painted Chairs

I have finished the second painting for another chair in my nautical series. I have the same whitewash on the rest of the chair and an acrylic painting of a red skiff on the beach. These chairs are $250. each.

I also have a pair of stools with seashells painted on the top. These stools can be used as small tables too. They are solid wood and very sturdy. I have a scallop shell design and a starfish design. These are selling at 125. each.

Please email (pj@pjcookartist.com) for more information or to order any of the hand painted chairs.

Thanks, P.J. Cook

Handpainted Decorative Chair - 1st Design For Nautical Series

I am working on a series of 4 nautical scenes for my hand painted decorative chairs. This first chair is of the Saybrook Breakwater Light with two sailboats, catboats to be specific. This lighthouse is popular in the state of Connecticut and is offered as a license plate Save the Sound.

I have settled on a whitewash color for the chairs. It has a white wood grain effect that looks very beachy. I have used acrylic paint for the painting because it is very durable. Once I finish a chair I apply a coat of clear protective finish. After that the chair can be sat in! Yes, these chairs can be used everyday if you so desire. I have used this same paint for other projects and they have lasted for years, some are even outside!

I have this chair for sale at The Lyme Tree Women's Exchange in Old Lyme Center (next to Subway). You will find it in the window.

Check back for updates on the next decorative chair in this nautical theme series.

Thanks, P.J. Cook

Footprints Leading To The Beach Painting On Display

The chair with the Footprints Leading To The Beach Painting is in the window at The Lyme Tree Woman's Exchange of Old Lyme. I painted this chair for a May 9th charity auction in New Haven. The proceeds from the sale of the chair will go towards St Marten dePorres Academy located in New Haven, CT. I enjoyed painting the chair and I hope there is a fury of bidding on the chair because the proceeds will go towards the school.

I will have similar chairs for sale at The Lyme Tree shop soon. I am working on a series of beach, shoreline art scenes for a set of 4 chairs. Also in the works are designs for children's chairs. I will continue posting my progress on the chairs so check back!
For more information on purchasing a chair or artwork please email pj@pjcookartist.com
Thanks,
PJ Cook

pjcookartist.com

Seascape Painting Finished - Beach scene painted on chair

I have finished painting the wood chair. This chair will be auctioned off in May for a charity. For my seascape painting I decided to use a beach path surrounded by a dune fence and have the fence posts be the back of the chair. I painted sand texture on the seat of the chair and added some seashells along with the footprints. I had the footprints get smaller as the path went further towards the water so it looked like the footprints were receding. This added some depth to the painting. I have a beach umbrella and 2 chairs on the sand and seagulls and sailboats in the distance. The legs and back of the chair I painted white and then painted a yellow glaze over the white and then dragged a grooved tool on the glaze to create small lines. It is a faux painting technique and I think it added interest to the rest of the chair. I then painted a matte finish over the entire chair to protect the finish.

This chair will be on display at the Lyme Tree Woman's Exchange in Old Lyme for a few weeks. I will be painting more of these chairs and offering them for sale. I may be painting several different scenes on the chairs. I will also paint a particular scene if someone wants a specific picture on a chair.

For more details on the charity auction view previous posts for details. Thanks, and contact me at my email: pj@pjcookartist.com for more info on painting the chairs.

pjcookartist.com

Update: beach painting on chair project.

The seascape painting on a chair project is progressing. I am continuing to add layers of acrylic paint to my chair. In this photo I have my palette and paints and the chair all on my desktop. Sometimes I paint with the chair here or on the floor it depends what section I am working on.

The sand will probably take the most time to paint because I want all the footprints in the sand receding towards the water. This should create depth to the painting. I am planning to paint the rest of the chair with a gloss white paint in the areas without the artwork. It's coming along and I should be finishing up in a few days.




I have a art show next weekend here in Old Lyme, CT. It is the Expressions Art Show and I have participated for several years now. It is at Lyme Art Association and many artists fill the gallery walls with their art for sale. The proceeds for the sale of the artwork go towards non-profit organizations and are listed on the postcard. I have included all the details for the show and I hope to see you there!
Thanks,
PJ Cook
pjcookartist.com

Next Step In Seascape Painting on a wood Chair

I have started painting with acrylic paint on the chair. My initial goal is to layout the composition and see how it looks on the chair. I will continue to add layers to build up the paint while adjusting the values as I go along. To add some bright colors I may paint a beach umbrella, beach chair, towels, beach ball etc. I have painted a nice beach umbrella in watercolor in the past. View the painting "Dog Day Afternoon" it can be viewed at my website on the gallery page in shore scenes at pjcookartist.com
I could add a similar umbrella to the chair painting. Does anyone have any ideas? Comment with any suggestions for adding something colorful to the beach painting.

Thanks, and check back for my next painting update.
P.J. Cook