Beach house and sea grape
Posted: January 2, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized 30 CommentsI often select an area of a scene I want to focus on and work outwards from there. In this sketch it was the area of shadow that crossed the doorway of the beach house. From there I worked outwards to the palm, the sea grape and the beach. The top of the sketch is a bit unfinished, mostly because I was sitting on a very low beach chair to draw and it was hard to look up to see behind the sea grape. On this trip that beach plant has become one of my favourite to draw — how can you not love a plant with such circular leaves? Sketched in a Handbook Watercolour Journal, portrait size (approx. 16 x 8) and held open with shells on a windy day.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
That is just great foilage Shari, isn’t Sanibel a Gem?
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Sanibel is a real gem Angie. I guess you’ve been here!
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it looks beautiful there
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It sure is!
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Nothing like the tropics to make you want to leave wherever you are . . . very nice!
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Thanks N!
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Thank you for sharing your thought process. When I first saw this sketch the understaircase shadow was what drew me in. Such a good tip to remember. Also love the broad strokes that form the palm branches. Great contrast to the circular leaves on the left!
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Thanks Mary Beth. I used a flat brush for the palm branches. The narrow edge was great for making those palm branches.
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How can we not? Those are wonderful circular leaves!
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Aren’t they? Thanks Aletha.
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Beautiful watercolor. You capture the scene so vividly — it’s like being there.
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Love seeing your sketches from such a beautiful place in Florida. You have a great tropical palette and I’m enjoying your commentary on gear and process. So glad you are having some respite from the bitter cold up north. Even in Gainesville, (FL) it’s cold and promises to be in the 20’s again tonight. I’m going to welcome the sunshine when it returns here. A few of us who get together to sketch each week are choosing coffee shops and galleries until it’s warmer. We’re pretty spoiled!
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The blood thinks doesn’t it, down here? The past few days have been cold and windy but I still sketched outside today, although I’m sure you found it cold. For me, this cold Florida weather is like a cool spring day in Montreal. As long as my fingers don’t freeze, I can draw outside. Although you’ll see in tomorrow’s post that what I drew today was not a sunny beach scene. There was a little more drama in it to correspond with the weather conditions.
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So fresh and lively! Love it..
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Thanks Alison. And I love your winter scenes, especially the bonfire chairs poking out through the snow.
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Thanks! Soon they’ll be completely buried.
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Oh how I wish Iwas still down there I lived in the Florida Keys for a number of years, would sit on the beach and paint my watercolors,and do all the shows up and down the Keys, and now I am bundled up in Surrey BC trying to keep warm, Love your sketch brings back fond memories
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I bet it was beautiful down in the Keys but BC is a gorgeous place too. Of course in winter you can’t beat Florida, no matter how beautiful BC is. Thanks for writing!
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Another fascinating subject that you captured nicely. Do you have a favorite sketchbook? Or, maybe one that you prefer? Frank B
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Thanks Frank. This is my favourite sketchbook for watercolour. I use several sizes of the Handbook Watercolour Journal (the one with the pale linen cover) but my favourite size is the square format. I also love Stillman & Birn books for drawing, and now I especially love the toned paper Nova series.
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Comfortable scene. Wish I was there.
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Thanks Kirk.
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This is just the epitome of a Florida beach house! I want to be there. The shadow is wonderful!!!
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Thanks Joan!
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Thanks for introducing me to sea grapes! Had never run into them but just googled them. It’s one of the things I love about traveling…seeing different foliage where you go! Enjoy your time in the warmth! I’m keeping up with Montreal weather through my sister, and it’s not a pretty picture up there!
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Hi Helen, I guess this is not something you have on the beaches on South Carolina. They are so much fun to draw. I am enjoying Sanibel even though the weather has been cold and windy the past few days. It is still better than what Montreal is experiencing. Such a long cold spell! I’ll be back to it soon enough. Happy New Year and happy painting! Shari
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Hi Shari,
Your sketch has a wonderful fresh and lively feeling. I love looking at all the small details and the variety of marks. I can see your joy through your brush strokes!! I always look forward to your posts…like opening a gift.
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Thanks Donna!
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Never saw or heard of a sea grapes. How unique. I was only in Florida once in October to execute my aunt’s will and clean out her house . It was unbearably hot and humid. Looks so much nicer where you are.
Love your painting and the seashell in the corner.
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Thanks Judy. It’s not very humid now but we were once here in the summer and the humidity was unbearable so I know what you mean.
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