Painting a Travel Memory: A Sea Cliff in Moraira, Spain while on a Speed Boat Excursion - Gouache Painting on Paper

Hi, Hive friends! I am challenging myself with another painting from a photo reference of my travel to the south of Spain with my family. We rented a speed boat to do a boat excursion in a day.

For doing this painting, I was quite nervous because this is a realistic reference and not just a photo reference I found on Pinterest. I often saw many inspirations about artists painting sea cliffs on their canvases.

This is a photo I took while we were on the boat. There are two things I find this subject interesting and challenging.

• The rough edges of the cliffs
• The waves of the seawater

I was doubting that I could paint this whole picture almost realistically.

Starting a sketch is not a problem for me but I also have difficulty creating some rough edges or textures using a pencil. It is something I need to learn more.

I wanted to do some details on the cliffs but I stopped and proceeded to paint immediately.

I started with sky blue for the sky and flesh color for the sea cliffs.

Painted royal blue on the seawater, also tried to create some waves.

I added details on the sea cliffs using black paint. I was doubtful and not happy doing this because I felt I didn't get it right. I wanted to give up.

Anyway, I paused to add details for the sea cliffs. I moved on to paint the trees with yellow-green.

Painted the buildings with white paint.

Added details on the white buildings using black paint. Now, it is making a little sense to me.

Added greens to the trees.

And I was like, damn, I should trust the process. I know that painting these rough edges of the cliffs is not really close to reality but I think it's working. So yeah, almost finished. It's time to add details on the seawater waves.

I still need to learn more techniques on how to use the paintbrush for the sea waves.

I tried the dry-on-dry technique. But I wasn't sure if I was doing it right. Still doubtful.

But, look at that.

The waves from the photo are not the same waves I did for the painting.

I returned to fix the rough edges of the sea cliffs. I felt so satisfied dealing with it.

Voila! Here is the final result. I am so happy with this. It made me think that I could paint landscapes on a bigger and wider canvas.

Sneak peek from our boat excursion

Me trying to drive the boat. Hahaha!

Me looking like a gangster with the hood. Baby girl was in my arms sleeping and my son enjoying the waves.

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