Lava Clouds

I was making a “Plein Air” sunset painting when I used too much heavily pigmented black in the clouds. I loved the way the ocean turned out, so rather than pulling out some color I decided to use some of the lava sand I was sitting on for texture. I wish I had some medium or gel here to set it, but I will take a bag of washed sand home to reconstruct the effect.

I tried various things my sister had on hand, hairspray that didn’t want to set and boot waterproofing spray, which didn’t adhere the sand to the paper. Luckily I used a test sheet, not the original. For now I will be content with some interesting black clouds and add the lava later.

Beach at Sunset

This is a “Plein Air” painting of a black lava beach at sunset. The sun sets rapidly here and I was virtually painting in the dark by the time I finished. I tried to capture the color of the clouds and the light on the wet sand and I think it worked well.

Abstract Beach

ABSTRACT BEACH
Mixed Media
6"  x 4" cold pressed watercolor paper

A theme I often work with because I love walking on the beach and listening to the sound of the waves. This painting uses multiple types of brush strokes and many colors to depict the land and the water. The medium is watercolor with a touch of acrylic in the waves.

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - JACK VETTRIANO

THE SINGING BUTLER by Jack Vettriano

JACK VETTRIANO

Jack Vettriano OBE (born 17 November 1951 in Scotland as Jack Hoggan). His 1992 painting, The Singing Butler, is the best selling Art Print in the UK. The original painting sold at auction for £744,800, in 2004, a record at the time for any Scottish painting and in fact for any painting ever sold in Scotland. Click on the links for information about this famous work and the fascinating artist that created it.

If you aren't familiar with this painting where have you been?

I own a print of "The Singing Butler" and it hung in my home for many years. I found it endlessly fascinating, from the dappled treatment of the wet sand, to the grey skies, to questions about the couple, their servants and how the artist came up with the idea. It is probably instrumental in me returning to painting after many years working with different media.

Jack Vettriano paints slightly nostalgic works that depict fairly generic people, often with a sexual overtone. His early work while he was finding his feet as an artist and struggling for income, was much less raunchy.

Here is my analysis, of "The Singing Butler" taking into account what I have discovered about creating work that sells. Firstly, I note that all the subjects are facing away from the viewer: This creates interest and curiosity. The unusual light and the beautiful sand are enhanced by the darkened sky which heightens the honey tones in the sand and hints at this taking place just before or after a storm. Servants! Ah yes wouldn't everyone love to have a couple of loyal and attentive servants to shelter their employers from the rain and mop their brow? There is something about paintings with umbrellas; perhaps a suggestion of protection from the raging world? Then there is dancing ... women love to dance and dream of having a partner to whisk her around the dance floor or any location, even a beach! Beaches are a winning formula for many artists even for me in my land locked desert region. Take a moment to reflect on the composition with its straight lines and triangles, which always lead focus back to the dancing couple, yet create a sense of peace and dynamism which keep the eye moving. Lastly the chosen colours fit well in most homes, mainly grey, black and white with naples yellow for warmth (and to match the Magnolia walls) and that all important touch of red without which the painting would be quite boring. I've blogged before about the importance of adding red to the focal point. All in all it's a master work and it's no wonder it has become so famous and made Jack Vettriano a star.

30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - # 19 - EDGE OF THE OCEAN

EDGE OF THE OCEAN

4.75" x 3.5" Golden Open Acrylic and Watercolour on French Watercolour Paper

This is a composition I'm working on for a client that has requested a 30" x 40" ocean scene. You may remember I painted a similar ACEO a couple of years ago, but it had more detail and iridescent highlights. The request is for a very simple composition and limited colour.
 

 
SHIPPING 16th MARCH 2016 OR LATER - SOME PAINTINGS AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DISPATCH FROM MY OUTLETS AS NOTED IN DESCRIPTION ON DAILY PAINTWORKS
  

Stay tuned for more new paintings in the next 30 days.

If you are an artist and would like to join in, here is the link - 30 in 30
Posted as # 147 on 30 in 30 Blog

WHITE LINES IV

WHITE LINES IV by Sea Dean 20" x 20" Wrap Canvas

This is the third in the series of white panels. I am introducing each panel separately because I'm selling them individually. The buyer can choose as many panels as they need to fit their space. A 3 seater sofa looks wonderful with three panels above it and so does a queen or king size bed. A hallway may need one or two depending on the length, or a large home or reception area could take many tiled panels.


As you see, each panel is slightly different, although they use the same colour scheme and elements. The colour of these panels is very flexible, so I can paint them to match any decor. Although the initial design idea used vertical lines, each panel looks just as good horizontal. Therefore, as with most of my abstracts, each panel can rotate to suit. In tile form the combinations are endless.

While photographing the images for this series, I discovered that white is tough to depict accurately. White will reflect any light that surrounds it, so, during the day the panels will appear slightly blue from the daylight and at night they will have a warmer cast from the room light. You can play on this effect by using various light bulbs to get the desired effect. As these panels are white, a small projector with changing filters could create a spectacular effect.

The colour of your walls is also a factor. I painted the panels on a pale blue ground, and the cooler undertones prompted me to select warmer whites. Currently I have them displayed on sage walls which are complementing the warm whites, but on a cool background they would be more defined.


This is the 21st painting in my 30 paintings in 30 days quest. Posted as #8 on Leslie Saetas Blog

WHITE LINES III

WHITE LINES III by Sea Dean 20" x 20" Wrap Canvas

View my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here


This is the second in the series of white panels. I am introducing each panel separately because I'm selling them individually. The buyer can choose as many panels as they need to fit their space. A 3 seater sofa looks wonderful with three panels above it and so does a queen or king size bed. A hallway may need one or two depending on the length, or a large home or reception area could take many tiled panels.

Although the initial design idea used vertical lines, each panel looks just as good horizontal. Therefore, as with most of my abstracts, each panel can rotate to suit. In tile form the combinations are endless.

While photographing the images for this series, I discovered that white is tough to depict accurately. White will reflect any light that surrounds it, so, during the day the panels will appear slightly blue from the daylight and at night they will have a warmer cast from the room light. You can play on this effect by using various light bulbs to get the desired effect. As these panels are white, a small projector with changing filters could create a spectacular effect.

The colour of your walls is also a factor. I painted the panels on a pale blue ground, and the cooler undertones prompted me to select warmer whites. Currently I have them displayed on sage walls which are complementing the warm whites, but on a cool background they would be more defined.


This is the 21st painting in my 30 paintings in 30 days quest. Posted as # 2 on Leslie Saetas Blog

WHITE LINES II

WHITE LINES II by Sea Dean 20" x 20" Wrap Canvas

View my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here


I was so pleased with the result of my smaller abstract, WHITE LINES I, that I decided to create a triptych. It sounds a bit impromptu, but I've been dreaming about all white paintings with lots of texture for some time now.

I am introducing each panel separately because I'm selling them individually. I can create as many panels as the buyer desires to fit their space. A 3 seater sofa looks wonderful with three panels above it and likewise so does a queen or king size bed.

Although the initial design idea was used vertical lines, each panel looks just as good in horizontal format. Therefore, as with most of my abstracts, each panel can hang any way up. They can also be combined like tiles, so the combinations are endless.

What I discovered while photographing the images for this series, is that white is highly challenging to depict accurately. White reflects any light which surrounds it, so, during the day the panels will appear more blue and at night they will have a warmer cast. You can play on this by testing various light bulbs to get the desired effect. As the panels are white, a small projector with changing filters would be spectacular.

The colour of your walls is also a factor. I painted the panels on a pale blue ground, and the cooler undertones prompted me to select warmer whites. Currently I have them displayed on sage walls which are complementing the warm whites, but on a cool background they would have more punch.


My 20th painting in my 30 paintings in 30 days quest - Posted as # 51  on Leslie Saetas Blog

AFFORDABLES - Seascape I

SEASCAPE I
Sea Dean
9" x 12" Cotton Canvas Sheet
Limited time offer $75 includes shipping to Canada, UK and USA -
Reduced shipping elsewhere.



View my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

I am joining over 700 artists in the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days challenge - DAY 9

For a theme I've chosen abstract painting. I've painted many abstracts, but I feel I need to develop a consistent style. When I visit a gallery it is always the abstracts that catch my attention, particularly if they have an colourful palette, so it's time to create my own series.

Here is "Seascape I", inspired by an island storm. Here I was concentrating on texture and using the palette knife in different ways. The painting is finished to a high shine with Gamvar, museum quality varnish.

For this series of abstracts I will ship anywhere in the UK and North America, inclusive. Your purchase will arrive ready to mount, mat or frame as you choose. Should you prefer, I can mount, mat or frame and ship ready to hang, please contact me for a quote.

THE WAVE
6" x 6"
Canvas Card
SOLD 

I had the pleasure of visiting my Gallerist today and finding out which of my paintings had sold. It is always interesting to see what works and what doesn't in that location. Cathy is my main contact with the buying public ... my eyes and ears, because they rarely talk freely in front of the artist. As always many of my ACEO had sold but also many slightly larger paintings, mini masterpieces and small squares.

This wave painting had sold, but as usual I'm always happy to create another in the series in any size to suit your space.


Day 9 - 30 paintings in 30 days - Added as #6 on Leslie Saeta's Blog

TRY THIS TRICK TO SELL YOUR PAINTINGS

MISTY WALK ON LONG BEACH by Sea Dean 24" x 36"

There is something strange I've noticed about really good art...

To stay current, I read many many art blogs, reviews and newsletters and see over 200 paintings a day. You learn a lot when you see that much art passing in front of your eyes. The thing I most love to analyse is the work of masters, past and present, to discover why these paintings in particular have sold and/or stood the test of time.

When viewing art, I try to consider my current painting challenges, the media I am experimenting with, composition, colour combinations, subject matter etc. It is therefore not surprising that I often notice strong compositional technique (because this is an area I am challenged with). One of the most amazing things I've concluded over the years is that no matter how much you zoom in, crop, photo shop or mess around in any way with a master painting, it always looks amazing. Each part is awe inspiring. Each brushstroke has meaning. Each shift in light and dark is planned (or accidental and embellished by the artist's infallible mastery). Even the size and shape is important

MISTY WALK ON LONG BEACH by Sea Dean 12" x 36"

Try it some time. Take a high quality image of a Monet, or equally great masterpiece and crop it into as many small paintings as you can. How many can you create from one large work? I'm talking about crops that retain the same awesome quality as the whole, even if they are a tiny abstracts. First try different crops with the main focal point included. Make some modern crops, cutting off part of the main subject. Group crops to create a completely different abstract work. Move around the edges and see how interesting they can be.

Monet, particularly as he got older, left portions of bare canvas mainly on the edge. Some may consider this sloppy, but this can add interest to a painting and a crop. A little trick I've discovered is that one of the most interesting crops is usually near the artist's signature, but not necessarily including it.

MISTY WALK ON LONG BEACH by Sea Dean 12" x 12"

Some artists paint on flat canvas and crop paintings out of the large piece later. This works really well for abstracts, but can be used on any genre. It is particularly useful for paintings that are languishing in the back of the studio because they've hung in every gallery, show, exhibition and website and haven't sold in many years.

I've know artists that reconfigure their own paintings and on occasion, I've done it myself (see the painting above). A dynamic crop and a new mat or frame can do wonders for an older piece. This is also a great thing to try if you create prints of your work. Perhaps you don't want to sell prints of the whole piece, but what about interesting small portions cropped to put on art cards, cell phones, pillows etc? Professional artists are constantly looking for ways to stretch their creative time, and this is one way to do it without compromising your original art sales.

MISTY WALK ON LONG BEACH by Sea Dean 12" x 16"

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

OCEAN PAINTING - Walking the dog

SPACE
By Sea Dean
5" x 7" Canvas Panel

Back to the ocean. This was painted for a Daily Paintworks challenge to choose a word and illustrate it. I chose space, and I think this makes a good rendition of the feeling of space you get when walking a tidal beach. One of the beaches we used to visit when I was a child was like this, when the tide was out you had to walk what seemed like miles to my little legs to get to the water. Beaches like this are great places to walk, which is exactly what the tiny figure is doing. 

I tried to photograph the image to show some of the irridescent paint which highlights places around the canvas. This catches the room lights and represents the bright sunlight hitting tidal pools, just like it does on one of those glorious summer walks.

I haven't had an auction on Daily Paintworks for a while, so this one is on auction for one week. You can bid by following the link to my Daily Paintworks gallery below. It starts at only $10

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

HOODOO RIDGE

HOODOO RIDGE
by Sea Dean
11" x 14" Canvas Panel

Available on Daily Paintworks for one week, then moves to Artfinder.

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

I was inspired to paint this by a Paint My Photo submission from Elle. You can see the original photo here. I used to think Hoodoos were rare, having first been introduced to them in southern Alberta, but since then I've seen quite a few examples around the world. They are very fragile and easily eroded by wind, rain and careless hikers.

I decided to stick with a fairly limited palette. First I established the lightest lights in Titanium White and Unbleached Titanium. Then I sketched the outlines in light violet to compliment the warm tones of the UT. I then moved to the darkest darks where I used complimentary cool blues and cool raw umber. Greens are tough, but I mainly used Primary Blue which is Phthalo based and a cool bright Lime to paint the evergreens. The sky is painted in warm blue with the same blue reflected onto the hoodoos.

BIG SKY COAST - DPW PICK OF THE DAY

BIG SKY COAST
by Sea Dean
12 x 9" Canvas Panel
Available for a short time at Daily Paintworks

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here

"Big Sky Coast" is painted on canvas panel with the best quality paint available. I am currently working on cloudscapes from life and the little cove was added from memory. This is the kind of beach I love, with rock pools and shaded areas. I can just imagine stepping into that lazy water and spending the afternoon drifting.

THE OCEAN BECKONS - 30 Paintings in 30 Days # 10 - ART PARTY - DAILY PAINTWORKS PICK

THE OCEAN BECKONS
By Sea Dean
8" x 10" Canson Arches Board
Ready to Frame

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

Like many in Canada I've been buried in snow for over a week and my thoughts are drifting to the beach.

In line with my 30 in 30 series, today I tried some Artists Loft Fine and Coarse Modeling Pastes. Although it says on the tube that these dry fast, I would recommend letting it dry overnight before applying paint because I found the wet paint was lifting off the texture, but maybe it does this even when completely dry. I tried Coarse texture in the sand and clouds but I wouldn't use if for clouds again. The Fine texture is in the waves. Although it was possible to put these textures on the Canson Arches board, it took away some of the joy of the velvety surface which is perfect for smooth brushing.

The line work is in Golden Liquid Acrylic with a Fine Point Tip. As the fine tip is like a metal syringe it is a bit scratchy and catches on any rough surface, so I went in with a damp brush and smoothed out some blotches. I'm really enjoying line painting over brush work and will be doing more in the coming year.


30 PAINTINGS IN 30 DAYS - Day10

WELCOME POSTERS AND VOTERS

POSTING
As a special gift to fellow artists participating in the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days Challenge. I am allowing artists to post their entries on my blog as well. I'm using the same type of system to make it easy. Add YOUR NAME ONLY (not the painting's name or your business name) and a link to your web presence. 

VOTING
Posting ends at midnight each day and voting begins. Voting is open on all the previous days blogs from January 1st until January 31st. Three votes for each person. Each day voting opens the when posting closes and continues till 31st January 2015. At close of voting the top three rise to the top and remain on my blog forever.

SHARING
All I ask in return is to spread the word and give your buddies a chance to win prizes too. If you blog, link to your entry on it. Share to Twitter, FB, Pinterest etc. with an easy hover and click. Click on the thumbnails to visit the artists and tell them how much you love their work.

Prizes given to the most active artists and voters that participate throughout the month. Posts, Votes, Comments, Shares etc.

Good Luck everyone.
Thank you for visiting my blog

P.S. Remember to post your painting on the current day and vote on all the previous blogs from January 1st to 31st for the most chance at prizes. You have 3 votes each day and voting is open on all pages till January 31st. To vote click on the grey heart on each painting you like. If you're lost click on each of these links.

January 1st WHITE MOUNTAIN II - VOTE
January 2nd WHITE MOUNTAIN I - VOTE
January 3rd WHITE MOUNTAIN III - VOTE
January 4th NORTHERN BEAUTY - VOTE
January 5th CITY LIGHT - VOTE
January 6th HEART AND ROSES - VOTE
January 7th WOODLAND TRAIL - VOTE
January 8th SNOW MELT - VOTE
January 9th EMERALD RIVER - VOTE

An InLinkz Link-up

Posted on Leslie Saeta as #

LOT 18 SPACE

View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKSShop for Limited Edition ACEO here

LOT 18 SPACE
By SEA DEAN
Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTION here


SILENT AUCTION INSTRUCTIONS
An auction collection of recent works by Sea Dean and others. 
How do I bid?

It's really very simple...

1. Visit the website, or come to one of my upcoming shows to view the lots.
2. Enjoy the work on offer (you can hover to see details or click to see a larger image with more details). Some is from my own hand and some is from my peer collection.
3. Choose which pieces you would like to bid on and click the link in details. 
4. The link creates an email so you can send me your bidding details.
5. As bids come in I update the website and my paper record to correspond.
6. On November 15th at midnight PST bidding ends. 
7. Winning bidders will receive an invoice from Paypal with the name of the work, your bid and shipping. Tax is included. Multiple items to the same bidder will be shipped together.
8. On payment your item(s) will be shipped within 3 days in plenty of time for holiday giving.


REF12041

SUMMER BREEZE - DAY TWENTY SEVEN

Detail from Summer Breeze by Sea Dean

Summer Breeze by Sea Dean (see how large the lake is by finding the sailboat)

SUMMER BREEZE

by Sea Dean
Mixed Media
24" x 36" Deep Gallery Wrap Canvas

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS

Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
Bid on my limited time exclusive SILENT AUCTION here


Yesterday I was slated to hang a couple of paintings at Sage Realty on Bernard Ave, Kelowna. (Drop by and see them anytime over the weekend). I had decided to hang them facing the street and I was all ready to go first thing. 

Then I had a conversation with the office manager who was expecting me to hang work throughout the lobby. That meant a scramble because I have nearly 200 paintings on exhibit around Lake Country and Kelowna this month and I was very low on larger paintings. SUMMER BREEZE was in the studio waiting for a tweak and it's time had come. So my day was all about tweaking, photographing, cataloging and hanging. 

The painting at the top is a closeup of some of the changes. I lightened and darkened some values in the sand and water. I widened the trunk of the tree and added more roots. The sail boat had been almost invisible in the big lake, so I added more wake, brighter sails and bow waves. I also tilted the boat to show it was scurrying along on the "summer breeze". As I did quite a bit of work, I think this counts as one of my 30 paintings in 30 days submissions.


BLOG HOPS AGAIN

One of the artists I introduced you to in the blog hop is talking about me today and introducing two new artists to the group. I'm looking forward to reading about the artist's Sheila Delgado has chosen. See her blog here.

How we blog hopped ... Where possible, the first name links to the blog hop blog of that artist and the others are linked to the artist's daily blogs. Hop around and see who you would like to follow.

Sheila Delgado introducing Yevgenia Watts and Karin Naylor
Sea Dean, Marion Hedger and Sheila Delgado
Nan Johnson introducing Sea Dean
Nancy Goldman introducing Nan Johnson, Leslie Redhead and Belinda del Pesco
Deborah Younglao introducing Nancy Goldman and Roxanne Lessa 
Robin Samiljan introducing Deborah Younglao, Barbara Parker and Kathleen Krucoff
Alicia Forestal Boehm introducing Robin Samiljan, Ahavani Mullen  and  Maike van Wijk
Bridgette Gurzon Mills introducing Alicia Forestal Boehm, Angie McMonigal and Kari Hall 
Supria Karmaka introducing Brigette Gurzon Mills and Leslie Sobel
Veronika Funk introducing Supria Karmaka, Jill Zaheer and Belinda Firman
Galia Alena introducing Veronika Funk, Laly Mille, Kate Thompson and Becky Cavender


Cat # 11019 Summer Breeze- Posted as # 11 on the 30 in 30

DISTANT ISLAND - DAY SEVENTEEN - DAILY PAINTWORKS PICK OF THE DAY

DISTANT ISLAND

by Sea Dean
6" x 6" Strathmore Windpower

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
More from my fellow intrepid and brave artists attempting the 30 paintings in 30 days here

You may think you recognize this painting from last year, but it's been given a new fresh look. I've been wanting to add some pizazz for a while, so today I went all over it with new vision, pushing the colour here and there, adding greater value definition, a nudge to the composition and finally cropping it to 6" x 6" to match my new canvas card paintings. I think it's much better for all the fuss.


Cat # 13092 Distant Island - Posted as # 10 on the 30 in 30 challenge

LAKE COUNTRY ART WALK - MARZIO GUEST CARTOONIST - BEACH IMPRESSION - DAY TEN - DAILY PAINTWORKS PICK OF THE DAY

BEACH IMPRESSION

by Sea Dean
6" x 6" Acid and Lignin free Canvas Card

To view my online Gallery of originals please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here
More from my fellow intrepid and brave artists attempting 30 paintings in 30 days here 


GUEST MARZIO

Isn't this cool? 

As you know I was juried into Art Walk and the show was amazing as always. On Friday I met the other tentees in my surrounding area and amongst them was cartoonist extraordinaire, Marzio. He set up quickly and asked if I needed help, which I did. 

Saturday morning he was a real blessing because I had my LCAG Art Bazaar booth to set up as well as my Art Walk tent. Because we were outside and on a main road I didn't feel comfortable leaving my paintings out, so I had to rehang them each day. Marzio was on the spot again offering his services. 

Later in the day during a lull he came and asked if he could draw a cartoon of me. I was a bit leery of this thinking of cartoon characters with big noses etc. but I thought there wasn't any harm in letting him. This is what he drew with the caption "I wouldn't say art is a calling, it's more of an obscene phone call!"

I rather like it and I'm totally in awe of the talent of someone that in a few minutes can come up with a character portrait like this. Marzio's prices are very reasonable and these cartoons make interesting gifts. You never know, he already has a cartoon column and one day he may be famous. You could be in possession of the next PEANUTS sketch.

Remember the cartoon I did of Leslie Saeta's family? Not as good as Marzio, but fun anyway. 






Cat # 14140 Beach Impression - Posted at # 12 on 30 in 30
Cat # 13183 Boys to Italy

WINDSWEPT BAY - Exhibition Size - DAILY PAINTWORKS PICK OF THE DAY

WINDSWEPT BAY
Original Painting by Sea Dean
11” x 14” Canvas Panel
Professional Acrylic with UV Protection

Purchase via Daily Paintworks

I started this painting 3 years ago, but I was unhappy with the type of Acrylic paint I was using at the time, and being an oil painter, I was unfamiliar with the challenges of acrylic fading and darkening as it dries, so I became frustrated and abandoned it. When I came across the painting recently, I just knew I had to work on it again, and I'm so glad I did. 

The original inspiration for this painting, was a photo by my friend Bob Jones, who was cycling around the UK at the time. I couldn't find the image when I was working on it the second time, so I just invented it as I went along based on all the beaches and images I've seen in my life. 

Although the photo was taken in Scotland, it is similar to many other parts of the world. Parts of Scotland are very like parts of Canada and South America, so I can imagine there are places in of Africa and Asia as well.

I enjoyed re-creating the AJ Casson style sky, The main challenge was to invite the viewer into the scene and to do that I chose a slightly warmer but limited palette, mainly Cerulean Blue, Matisse Cadmium Yellow Green, Phthalo Blue Green shade, Matisse Venetian Terracotta, Matisse Naples Yellow Light, Liquitex Heavy Body Parchment and Titanium White. Parts of the old under-painting were left, but not many.


Cat # 14108 Windswept Bay

GREAT BLUE HERON - ACEO OR ATC

GREAT BLUE HERON ACEO
ACEO OR ATC
PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5" on canvas panel

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

One of the sad truths of purchasing art on the internet is that patrons don't see their purchase in it's full beauty until it arrives in their mail box. That's why I have a money back satisfaction guarantee. The upside is that the painting always looks better than the image, so I've never had a painting returned.

This is particularly true of art which has interference (now you see it now you don't) or iridescent (shiny metallic) paint. 

I loved this Great Blue Heron ACEO from when I first created it, but because it used a large amount of interference paint it never photographed well. Today I added colour and texture to the sun which was barely visible in images previously, although it was beautiful in reality. I love the result.




Cat # 13237 Great Blue Heron