The Sky
Pelican Sunrise is a new version of an old friend. It’s an interesting piece because of the limited color pallete of burnt sienna, cadmium orange, payne’s gray and naples yellow. Almost exclusively those colors. Starting with the basic layer of sky colors.
The clouds
The clouds are a complicated section. They will take 4-6 layers of paint to create the depth and sunlight with rays.
More Clouds
The darks will go in first.
Water color
I added a horizon line with the water color to show the balance of colors while I’m filling in. I’m noticing that the clouds don’t have enough burnt sienna to my liking.
Water
Definitely not the right color for highlights in the water. More burnt sienna, less yellow and white. I’ll add those as highlights later. For now the colored sections need more burnt sienna :-).
Water 1st layer
Colors and composition are coming together with a nice balance. First few layers of the sky are good. Tomorrow I’ll finish the water’s first layer. Wish my camera would show the depth in the shadows …
Overall color relationship
I’m happy with the color relationship between the sky and base layer of water. Now to look at the painting a few more times, let it get a light skin (dry over night) then tomorrow I’ll add the final layers of highlights to make the sunshine. See you soon.
Sun Rays
A few more tweeks, now that I’m looking at the photo and we will call it finished. Highlights on the birds, even out the horizon and sign it!
Pelican Sunrise
I would love to spend a month or two just painting and taking photos down in The Keys.