Explore Creative Painting Techniques for Every Artist

Exploring Effective Painting Techniques for Watercolors

There is a story behind this painting, "Sand Patterns". It begins with a spring walk to the beach, where I discovered a geological deposit that had been left in the sand. I was intrigued by what an unusual sight this was and by what a gift nature had given me to paint. Luckily I had my camera with me so I took some photos from various angles.

Later in my studio while looking at the sand images I was impressed by the beautiful design that had been left by nature's elements. The heavier deposit had been left on the far side of the snow fence. I assume the tides and perhaps winds had pulled or pushed the sand particles through the fence. I liked the soft-edged shapes that had been created and the flowing lines which both contrasted with the clean edges of the snow fence. I was surprised that the linear pattern that had been created were at right angles to the fence. Another interesting element for my new painting would be how people had disturbed nature's pattern by walking across a corner of it to get around the snow fence to the beach beyond.

Although the color of the sand patterns in my photos were mainly shades of grey, there was a slight hint of purple. Purple beaches are a phenomenon caused by the presence of garnet, manganese, and rose quartz. Purple sand patterns are known to be on Plum Island, Massachusetts. Once years ago on a Cape Cod beach walk, I found a small patch of purple sand near some sea  grass. So because of this memory and the fact that purple sand does exist I felt inspired to make the sand patterns a lavender color. Also, more importantly, I find lavender a more aesthetically pleasing color than grey.

Summary of thoughts:

1. A gift from nature for an artist.
2. Mineral deposit creates sand pattern due to tides.
3. Soft shapes and flowing lines contrast with edginess of snow fence.
4. People's footprints add to nature's design.
5. Purple sand does exist and is caused by various minerals
 

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