Samana beach two - step IV... thinly applying thick paint!

The greater part of this week has been spent getting the garden ready for the summer... sort of another creative endeavour!

For this fourth 30 minute painting session, not being familiar with impasto gel, I opted for the "prudent" approach... slowly getting a feel for it as an add-on to color mixtures.

I built contrasts and textures step by step... trying the best I could to smooth out transitions between the various color strata (water area) and to create a certain overall movement... which I haven't found yet! The front part will get much paler to create the impression of a highly reflective surface...

So far, I like the new consistency that the gel imparts to the paint...

Samana beach two - step III... getting ready for the final sprint!

Another quick run brought me closer to where I want to be for some serious work... in other words, this scene is starting to get real for me. The girl is likely to gain a few pounds though!

I bought a jar of heavy impasto gel this morning... in a moment of sheer euphoria... so it will be interesting to experience with that in the final stage of execution for this painting. My approach to textures has been pretty tamed so far... this is sort of a last frontier for me. Hopefully, I won't end up being stuck in a thick mess!

Samana beach two - step II... smearing the canvas in a hurry for this second layer...

Having little time at my disposal today, I block the white of the canvas haphazardly in the hope of seeing the light... on a rather large surface that threatens to be boring as hell.

After this uncontrolled creative frenzy that would make a 2 year old proud, I'm still in the game... I think.

Samana beach two - step I... couldn't resist painting those kids!

When I saw those kids playing in the shallow waters and the incredible colors and reflections... I knew I had to try to paint them... the ballerina style of the young girl caught my attention...

As usual, I'm a little apprehensive about my ability to capture this moment of beauty... I can't seem to shake out the beginner in me!

Samana beach painting one - final step... another one joins the "muse en or" collection!

I finished this one with relative ease in the spirit of "mind like water"...

... may as well keep plugging away with some more Samana beach scenes... in an attempt to capitalize on that momentum while it last!

Samana beach painting one - step IV... squeezing in a few brush strokes in-between chores...

A busy schedule today (paying income tax, birthday gift to my nephew, etc...) only allowed me half an hour to advance this painting. I dedicated this time to the key figure...

My brushes are getting all worn out (I use beveled brushes 1/2 an inch and over)... so I need to correct the left upper arm; the hairline needs some smoothing out as well. Water highlights will be next on the agenda tomorrow since the figure is now one step ahead...

Samana beach painting one - step III... up to my eyeballs in water and trying to resurface!

This third pass zeroed in on the water. Thinking Chinese black ink, I tried to respect the best I could the laws that govern water, making my brush behave like water... becoming one with the water. When I finally backed off, to my surprise, I got a flashback of that glorious day... however, I still have some work to do...

The completion of that third pass led to further advances with the main figure. By the look of things, surgical brush strokes and ensuring an even surface quality throughout (an unfinished look throughout!) should do it...

I seem to be back to my usual speed of execution... perhaps because I know the subject matter a little better.