Collecting shells

I still haven't lost that childish enthusiasm for picking up shells on a beach!...Go on, admit it, I bet some of you still do that as well.....

here's a part of the collection I gathered up the other day

and predictably and inevitably I sketched them!

and no, I can't name them except to say they are Shells!    I do know that the long thin one complete with occupant can be raised from the sand.  (please note I have never done this myself  BUT apparently when you find a small hole in the wet sand near the sea and pour salt down it, this shell (and occupant) rise up out of the sand!   Now there's a useless piece of information for you.

Have a lovely day everyone

(Linking to Sunday Sketches today -
do pop over and enjoy seeing all the blogs
that join in)

A seaside shell in watercolour

Inspiration comes so simply sometimes.  This one was of a lovely shell we found on Saunton Sands beach a few days ago. ..   (also mentioned on Williams blog here).

I started out with a very fine pencil outline, just a guide really.  Then a simple wash of colour using

Yellow Ochre - which I also spread around for eventual background

and whilst wet dropped in a little Burnt Umber on the parts I knew would eventually need more shading

when this had dried I then added more Burnt Umber with a little Raw Umber here and there -
this is where more detail is also brought in to show the patterns on the shell -
I also lifted a little colour on the top of the shell with just clear water and a tissue for the highlights

and a mix of Ultramarine Blue with Burnt Sienna mixed together for the base shadow - using clear water to fade it out slightly.  I then used a spattering technique for texture.....

and there you have it

A loose impressionist style Shell

Happy Painting everyone!

 

Mother of Pearl

THIS WONDERFUL seashell was found today by my equally wonderful husband.  Having gone for a walk along the beach he came across this treasure from mother nature.  It's unbelievable how perfect the colours are so I thought I would share it with you   (please excuse my thumb).

                As you turn the shell in the light the iridescent colours sparkle, gorgeous!