As the summer sun graces the beaches of New Zealand, I find myself exploring these serene landscapes in my camper van, capturing their beauty to share with you. One such gem is Rangiputa on the North Island, a place that inspired this lesson. Although I couldn't paint it live as the sun set, I captured stunning photos that we'll use to guide our painting journey. In this chapter, I'll show you how to transform a simple photo into a vibrant, glowing painting. We'll delve into the art of editing your photos right on your phone to enhance their warmth and color, setting the stage for a masterpiece. Whether you prefer acrylics or oils, I'll walk you through creating a radiant sky and adjusting your palette to suit the scene. Together, we'll simplify complex subjects into manageable steps, ensuring you enjoy the process without the fear of mistakes. By the end, you'll not only have a beautiful sunset beach painting but also the confidence to infuse any scene with that captivating inner glow.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Rangiputa 15x15" Acrylic on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Step 1Photo Editing for Painting Reference
Edit Your Photo
Open the photo you want to edit on your phone and select 'Edit'. Consider applying a filter to warm up the scene, enhancing the colors and overall warmth.
Adjust Saturation
Navigate to the 'Adjustments' section and increase the saturation to make the colors richer. Be cautious not to overdo it, as too much saturation can make the image look unnatural.
Modify Warmth
Use the warmth adjustment to further enhance the temperature of the image. You can make it warmer or cooler depending on your preference for the painting reference.
Compare Before and After
Tap on the image to toggle between the original and edited versions. This helps you see the impact of your adjustments and decide if further changes are needed.
Copy Edits to Another Photo
If you have another photo to adjust similarly, use the 'Copy Edits' feature. Go to the edited photo, click the three dots, select 'Copy Edits', then go to the new photo, click 'Edit', and 'Paste' the settings. This saves time and ensures consistency.
Pro tipUse the 'Copy Edits' feature to quickly apply the same adjustments to multiple photos, saving time and maintaining consistency in your painting references.
Embark on your painting journey by carefully preparing your reference photo, enhancing its warmth and saturation to guide your artistic vision. As you move to canvas preparation, select a surface that complements your desired texture. Begin with a vibrant undercoat to establish the mood and set the stage for your composition.
With your composition sketched out, focus on building the scene from the sky downward, blending colors to capture the essence of light and atmosphere. Introduce clouds and trees with thoughtful color choices, ensuring each element harmonizes with the overall warm scheme. As you progress, pay attention to the interplay of warm and cool tones, especially in the sand and grass, to create depth and interest.
In the final stages, refine textures and add highlights to bring your scene to life. Use a variety of brush techniques to maintain a natural, gestural feel, and incorporate details like grass tips and bunny tails to enhance realism. Remember to keep your edges soft and your colors vibrant, allowing your painting to evoke the serene beauty of a walk to the beach.
Points to remember
Use the 'Copy Edits' feature to maintain consistency in your painting references.
Check the base material of your canvas board for desired texture.
Use the brush in various directions to avoid creating lines.
Ensure your path fans out from a single point perspective for natural flow.
Test your color mixes on a separate surface before applying them.
Use Ultramarine Blue for a warm color scheme.
Use a palette knife to add texture and create smooth transitions.
Use a dagger brush for long, beautiful lines when highlighting grass tips.
