Fearless Friday, Ocean Creatures
I’m concentrating on watercolor this month, trying to keep up with the daily prompts
The World Watercolor Month prompt for July 10 was Ocean Creatures
I took my inspiration from this book my daughter gave me, Living Coastal, flipping through the pages and drawing what caught my eye with simple ink sketches
You can certainly draw in pencil first if it makes you more comfortable
Be sure to use waterproof {archival} ink pens or you will have a mess when you add watercolor
I recommend Micron pens with a variety of nib sizes like this affordable set here
It wasn’t long before the page was full
Time to start painting!
I experimented with different techniques, painting the seahorse with wet into wet, letting the green from the spiny head and the blues blend into each other
I painted the highlights on the crab shell with shades of yellow, then continued to add deeper shades of orange and a touch of red in the darkest areas
For the jellyfish I played around with different colors, blending and trying to create the translucency of it’s body
I continued to work on the creatures, one at a time, moving around the page
I didn’t linger anywhere too long, laying down color freely
“Ocean Creatures” 9″ x 12″ watercolor on paper
For the shell below, I did the opposite, starting with paint and ending with ink
I began with a quick and loose watercolor sketch
Then I deepened the shadows in the water
Then refined it with ink
“Shell on the Beach” 10″ x 8″ watercolor on paper
I like to work on a watercolor block, like Arches, but it is pricey, $1.70-$2.00 per 9″x 12″ sheet
For sketching and experimenting I bought this 2 pack, 32 pages each, Arteza watercolor pads from Amazon here
It’s about .50 per sheet and has a rough and a smooth side, so you can paint on either or both sides, but you do have to tape it down to keep in flat
It’s not too late to join the watercolor month this fun, even if you can’t paint everyday, just paint when you can
You can see my inspiration board here, and get the prompts from the sponsor Doodlewash here, or paint whatever you like
If you want to share on social media use #worldwatercolormonth
Draw, Paint, Create and be Fearless!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Dishing it & Digging it, Between Naps on the Porch,
Merry Monday Make it Pretty Monday Celebrate and Decorate,
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
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Jenna, I love your ocean creatures and the shell on the beach. You are amazing with a brush, I am enjoying your watercolors on Instagram. Hopefully everything is ok on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Be safe❤️
thank you Pam! I came back to the “city” earlier this week and we secured everything last weekend so we’re not worried this time…but I guess this is the beginning of dreaded hurricane season…prayers for those in harms way, especially NOLA…
What a very inspiring collection of Ocean Creatures. You had so much fun!
ha ha, you’re right Sharon, I did have fun!
These are such fun, Jenna! So happy! I often will sketch in with a watercolor pencil in a light shade or one similar to the color I’m going for so the marks blend in well. These just make me smile.
I need to try sketching with a watercolor pencil, I always forget that tip, thanks Jeanie!
Oh, I love your ocean creatures, Jenna! 💙💚😀Beautiful line work and watercolor, all very inspiring.
I had a lot of fun with them, thanks Patty Anne
So pretty! I love the shell on the beach. The colors are perfect!
thanks Michelle!
The ocean creative looks so sweet and colorful. Sea shells and critters. They would look awesome in my new pool cabana, Happy weekend Jenna.
thank you Linda, I wish I was floating around your pool this weekend instead of watching it rain!
oh such beautiful fun!!!
thanks Jodi!
You have inspired me to paint!! Thank you!
Oh good!
It’s always fun and interesting to see how other artists work. I’ve been resisting grabbing my ink pen, and trying to step out of my comfort zone. The creatures are delightful and full of fun!
I love to pick up a magazine or a book and draw one thing from each page, no pressure, just experimenting and doodling…great practice, grab that pen!
Great job! Love all your sea creatures. Especially love the sea shell! Both are really awesome. The right one is more defined, but I like the left one the best.
Interesting that you like the one on the left better, art likes are so different for everyone, thank you Cyndi. Have a great weekend!
Such beauty! You are quite amazing with your watercolor! The sea creatures are fabulous and the shell,is exquisite. Prayers for the gulf coast.
Thank you Nancy, I am high and dry in Birmingham this week, praying for those in harm’s way…
You have done some really nice sketches and watercolors of ocean creatures. It looks like a lot of fun!
Have a nice week Jenna.
thanks Julie, it was!
Love your watercolor ocean creatures Jenna! 🐠🦀🐚🐙🌊
thanks Mary, fun doodling!
these are some lovely paintings you made. I love the shell and the jellyfish the most. Thanks for linking up this post with us at #OMGHWW
Thank you Alice!
I love your Fearless Friday series. Great work!
Thank you so much!
Great colors and designs!
thanks!