Willows Beach Sketches

I never go out without my sketchbook.  It is handy for keeping notes of things like appointments, to do lists, etc. (Good memory jogger). Well, I was looking for a note I had made last year and came across these sketches I did around this time a year ago. These sketches are from a day on Willows Beach.  I love beach scenes and have used my sketches for a number of oil paintings.  I was listening to the radio on my IPhone that day. I was impressed by a song called Beautiful Soul Song by Kobo Town. I've forgotten it but I'm going to search it. Maybe it will inspire me today. I'm heading out to Holland Point with my sketch book. (Did I say that in February I hurt my arm and have been sketching with my left hand since then. The sketches below are still using my right hand.)

It's my day off from the Empress

670 Floral Bouquet

 Here's the painting with as much done to it as I can do without overworking it. I really liked the shadows...and the embroidered pink scarf.

670 Floral Bouquet (In Progress)

I painted this bouquet using only the lights in the ceiling of the gallery. There was some light coming in from the window that changed over the course oft he painting somewhat. There's still work to as there's a motif on the fabric under the vase. Plus I'm not sure I like the turquoise background. The cast shadows need to be darker and more blue green. Hopefully the flowers will still be fresh enough tomorrow.

663 Empress Front Entrance, Summer Day

What a fine day! Here's a front entrance of the Empress scene. The building was actually darker than I painted it being completely in the shade. But I wanted to give the scene a happier feeling so I kicked painted it brighter.

662 Bengal Lounge

Well here it is. I might tweek it a bit before the final  varnish but I'm quite pleased with it to go on with. I really like that cougar. I feel he is ready to pounce. 

662 Bengal Lounge (In Progress)

Here I'm adding colour and some detail to yesterday's underpainting. Argh! I really have little patience for all those architectural straight lines and perspective. Just the same I'm quite pleased with  the feeling of depth. I like the planters but still want to get the carpet pattern believable.

662 Bengal Lounge Underpainting

This is the underpainting of the Bengal Lounge scene. The lounge has a very warm atmosphere.