Wednesday 27 January 2010

Walking in the sand


On Monday we went for a walk along one of our local sandy beaches. The tide was out, so it was one vast expanse of sand. We walked for about one hour exploring the tide line and seeing how the weather and sea had changed the shape of the beach and sand dunes. We explored the little Limestone outcrop before returning .
It took longer than the hour as I stopped to collect more oak leaves and pieces of blue china from the debris that littered the sandy beach. The interesting objects that the sea had gathered here could easily fill my sketch book, but I just selected the objects that I wanted to draw. From all the many tiny shells, I chose this blue striped one to match the blue tones in the sea washed oak leaves and my piece of blue pottery.
It is now another page in my square book, painted in acrylic paints, my palette of blue, brown, yellow ochre and white using my number 6 sable brush. Grains of sand dropped on my page from the objects. I love how everything always looks so beautiful in the sand on the beach.

8 comments:

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

Hi Milly, love Page Three below - don't know why it's taken me so long to find it! The red hawthorn berries work so well with the rust coloured leaves and the snail shell completes a really pleasing composition. Like today's artwork too and have enjoyed your walk on the wide expanse of sand. Bfn. Lesley

Tammie Lee said...

the colors
the lines
the shapes
are all so appealing
sounds as though you had a lovely walk

Susan Scheid (Raining Acorns) said...

Lovely. And I appreciate, too, that you describe the colors and brush you used. I'm always curious about that.

Pondside said...

I'm not much for the technical business but the colours reach out to me from the 'page'. How lovely to be able to transfer your walk into your drawing book.

Frances said...

Hello Milly,

This painting has wonderful composition. Just as you have carefully studied the subject matter, this painting is one to look at for a long, long time. It's got grace, beautiful subtle colors, intricate shapes ... just lots and lots to please and fascinate the eye.

Drawings from nature has done it again! xo

Carolina said...

Hi Milly,
Finding china pieces would amaze me if I happen to come across any of them around here :)
Nice blue-striped seashells, very nice composition...
Best regards,
Carolina

kookaburra said...

I love finding blue & white china. It seems that they are often narrative bits--a fragment of a house, or perhaps two small birds--a great bonus.

Ruthie Redden said...

beautiful. It always amazed me the treasures you can find walking along the shore. We have a tiny cove not far from here and it always gives up wonderful pieces of lod blue pottery. OOh i really want to go for a walk now x