Monterey Kelp Forest Painting

In the last week I have completed the Kelp Forest watercolor painting based on the drawings and sketches and preliminary painting that were posted here last month. You may see them if you scroll down and pick up the commentary for their creation.

This painting is based on a number of photos and sketches of the Monterey Bay Aquarium taken this spring.

I have decided to show here the final painting first. If you progress down this blog you will see the start to finish of this painting.

This is the final painting.


It started like this:

From my sketchbook trials, I knew that the kelp and the people had to be blocked in first.

The light blues were added to check the contrasts and the light values to be preserved.

A preliminary blocking of the framing structure was added. Everything is painting with transparent colors. Its pretty fragile now.

People shapes were added. No sketching of the people or faces. Position of the people is decided. Some people are headed into the exhibit and some are headed out. Some are facing it, so you just see the backs of their heads. More red is introduced to the painting.

My highlighted groups were identified and painted. The Indian couple the twin brothers by the blue frames, the dad with the little girl on top and the guy with the Monterey sweatshirt. No North Dakota couple on the far left side. A few bubbles were introduced. No sketch pen was used to this point.

Fish are introduced, people are sketched as well as painted and balanced. Its done!

I hope you enjoyed watching this painting take shape! This painting progressed a little over 12 days. Its 24inches tall by 18 inches wide. It uses watercolor on 2inch deep canvas treated for a watercolor surface by Daniel Smith's watercolor ground, Titanium White. Lining was done with micron 08 pens that mark at the .5 line.