Turbulence and Light


Today’s painting for #WorldWatercolorMonth is a colourful painting of water. And a lighthouse in a storm.

I’ve also had a little fun with the lighthouse theme, as just before posting this I wrote the previous Wordle post, based again on a lighthouse. Well, why not?

There were some challenges with this painting, which, I’ve decided, is unfinished and still needs work doing to it.

The turbulent sea threw up a challenge in itself. Several, actually. The colour for one. How to make the water look choppy for another. And the mist from the waves as they crashed onto the rocks. Oh, and I decided to throw in some lightning as well.

The sky was equally challenging, but I got around that by having the lighthouse send its warning light out to see, should there be any seafarers out there, not realising how close to land they were.

I’m not sure about the mist – I may have missed (hehehe!) the mark with that one, but I quite like the effect I conjured up for the waves crashing onto the rocks. There could still be some work to do there as well, I feel.

And the lighthouse itself. There should be a door at the bottom, a double door, actually, which really does need finishing off. Although I’m quite happy with the battered effect the lighthouse has.

I like the overall feel to the painting, however, even if I do say so myself, and even in its unfinished state. I seem to have developed a choppy painting style as well, unless it’s the brush I’ve taken to using. You know the old saying about a good workman…

This is my last post for today. I’m all posted out now.

wwm2017

20 responses to “Turbulence and Light”

  1. Jodi avatar

    I’m so glad wwm encourages you to paint! You have a great style I enjoy!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Jodi. I feel my style may be improving. With the emphasis on the MAY! 😀

      Like

  2. Soul Gifts avatar
    Soul Gifts

    A work in progress, Tom 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      As with most of my work, Raili! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  3. bcparkison avatar

    Choppy sea is right and glad there is a lighthouse for safe navigation. You are doing good my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Beverly.

      Like

  4. thecobweboriumemporium avatar

    Great creation Tom. Very well done. ~ C.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar
  5. Susan Feniak avatar

    Pleasing 😊🎨

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      🙂 Thanks, Susan.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. prenin avatar

    Good piece Tom! 🙂

    Keep at it and see where it goes! 🙂

    God Bless!

    Prenin.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Prenin. Will do!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. jesh stg avatar

    Thank you for the “follow.” Serendipitiously I planned for next week to show a watercolor! This is a difficult subject for the watercolor medium! How long have you worked with watercolor? Have a great rest of the week!

    A direct link to this mentioned post ( will be posted on Monday July 30)
    https://artworksfromjeshstg.wordpress.com/2017/07/28/details-make-a-difference

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Jesh.
      I haven’t been painting in watercolour for all that long – I started last year and just ‘have a go’ every now and then. It’s World Watercolour Month this month, so I’m attempting 31 watercolours in 31 days. I don’t know anything about techniques or what’s right or wrong, but I’m just painting what I feel at the time. Some are OK, some aren’t, but the process is fun!

      Like

      1. jesh stg avatar

        What helped me get ahead in watercolor was (in the beginning, to do it the same way every time.
        Before painting, I make a very light sketch I
        with pencil – I leave the pencil marks when I’m done. I plan which colors to use.. 2 or 3 colors is highly effective.
        The more colors you use, the more skill you need to bring them all together as a whole scene.
        First the background things, like sky, wall, water, etc. And go for left to right, or from right to left with my brush – not back and forth, because that often ends up giving a “muddy” color.
        Then, the main focus. Think dark color – next to light color.Sometimes I use the white paper to indicate the boundary lines.
        I know these “rules” will help you, to see what is wrong, when you get stuck. Just start over:):)

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Tom Merriman avatar

          Thanks for the tips, Jesh, I know they’ll help.
          I just need to tap into my inspiration pool now for something to have a go at painting! 😀

          Like

  8. Debbie Smyth avatar

    I’m no watercolour expert, and mu own skills in this field are non-existent, but I like this one Tom. There’s an element of wildness down in the waters

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Debbie. The choppiness was a challenge, but I kind of get the message across!

      Like

  9. europasicewolf avatar

    Lovely little battered light house! The overall effect is very splashy and wavy lol anyone would think you were at sea in a storm! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      That’s good to know, Icewolf… better than thinking you’re looking at a page in a watercolour pad! 😀

      Like

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