I haven’t painted for a while as I’ve been concentrating more on my graphic design work. But a couple of weeks ago I felt the creative bug bite me in the derrier, I just had to get my hands dirty.
I recently watched My Octopus Teacher (I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet). It was filmed just around the corner from where I grew up. The spectacular cinematography got me all inspired. So without much ado, let me show you the photographic process of my double painting duo, “Tentacle Soiree“:
I had a really great time experimenting with the different metals and foils I used in these pieces. The finished paintings are below and available to purchase – just click on the picture below or HERE.
Thanks for coming with me on this octopuses garden journey!
As promised, in my previous blog about whales (read here), this art blog is going to be about painting dolphins. As I explained in the ‘Why you have to love whales’ blog – I live in Cape Town and am privileged to see these beautiful mammals expressing their joyous souls on a regular basis.
I have not, sadly, swum with them (yet) – as was the case with the whale – but I have seen pods of dolphins in the False Bay area and what a sight and fuel for inspiration they are!
I have no fantastic tales (or tails) to regale with today so I am simply going to stick to the technical aspects of painting underwater scenes…
The technical side of painting underwater (and no, not physically!)
Painting underwater scenes are quite involved as they require a lot of layering. This ‘wash’ of blue that needs to be repeated until the desired effect is achieved, needs time and patience…and I paint in acrylics – for those who paint in oils the process takes even longer as the drying time is slower.
The first layer consists of getting the basic blue background started – then I apply the subject matter.
When that is done the watered-down blue paint wash layering begins until the right monotone colour is produced and ready to go out into the world.
The most rewarding part of this journey is in the varnishing. As soon as you apply that coat of gloss varnish the painting comes alive and the water looks wet again (like it does when the paint is first set to canvas).
Magnifique!
Perhaps this can give you a better appreciation of how much time and effort (or in some cases, curses and tears) goes into these deceptively tricky aquatic scenes.
Inspiration
With every work of art comes the inspiration behind it. With this painting, as with the whale painting, I have put it down in the form of a poem.
The Poem
‘Dolphins – The Spirit of Freedom’
You never let us forget how to love How to laugh How to smile How to be light-hearted
You never let us forget how to be In the moment In this space In this time
You never let us forget about beauty About simplicity About friendship About sincerity
You never let us forget about fun Being in the heart Playing with each other Soaking up the bliss
You never let us forget why we love you so Why we feel connected Why you are important Why you are here
You never let us forget Who we are Why we are When we are
Please never let us forget
If you also have an affinity for dolphins and would like to splash out and have this original painting gracing your wall – click here for details. I also have a wide variety of products to choose from with this specific dolphin design – for prints, posters and greeting cards click here, for gift ideas click here.
For those of you who still need convincing about how wonderful dolphins are, please do yourself a favour and watch this incredible short video – your heart will melt…go on, you know you want to. 🙂
Painting underwater scenes are quite involved as they require a lot of layering. This ‘wash’ of blue that needs to be repeated until the desired effect is achieved, needs time and patience…and I paint in acrylics – for those who paint in oils the process takes even longer as the drying time is slower.
Cherie Roe Dirksen 