BEACH PATH PAINTING

18

April, 2023

Painting Techniques

Original Art

On my way to the beach I stopped and noticed all the colorful textures underneath the trees. Beach paths are often filled with a variety of plants and trees that live close to the ocean. After taking a few photos and a simple sketch I continued to the ocean for the afternoon. When I arrived home I started a small gouache painting of the beach path. Gouache is an opaque watercolor paint. If you don’t have any gouache, add opaque white to your watercolors.

Inspired by a beach in Florida!

Beach oil painting, 30" x 40", oil on canvas, ©2022 PJ Cook artist

When painting in gouache, I usually start with thin layers of color. Much like a watercolor. After that wash dries I add thicker layers of gouache paint, as you can see in the video above. Often the initial transparent paint in the background will have a radiance of color. It will look like it is glowing.

Gouache tube colors

  • Yellow Light, (Hansa)
  • Naples Yellow Deep
  • Raw Sienna
  • Raw Umber
  • Venetian Red
  • Phthalo Green
  • Turquoise Blue
  • White

Paper

  • Arches 140 cold press watercolor paper
  • Crescent cold press illustration board – occasionally

Brushes

  • 1″ flat
  • large round size 12 with a nice point
  • rigger or liner brush for detail

I use my watercolor brushes for gouache too!

Post any painting questions you may have in the Comment section at the bottom of this page.

Thank you,

PJ Cook

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