Sketches from the Caribbean Sea - Small Works / Color Studies

Sketches from the Caribbean Sea are available through my Etsy shop and website. These paintings are framed with Free Shipping! If interested follow this link.

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"Support living artists, the dead ones don't need the money."

Serenity is a word that is hard to image. Until you spend time on a beach like this. This is what it looks like. Paintings from the Caribbean Sea. Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Caribbean Paradise, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Kinich Ahau (K'inich Ajaw) was the Sun God of the Mayans and was believed to turn into a jaguar as he went through the underworld (Xibalbá) each night. 

Kinich Ahau (Mayan Sun god) oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

The illuminating glow of the morning sun creates shimmers of silver on top of the turquoise blue. It draws you in. The Sun God Kinich Ahau is awake. 

You are awake.

 Caribbean Daybreak, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

 

This storm passed quickly. Was there just long enough to add to the days drama and remind us of the power and beauty of nature.

Breaking Wave, Breaking Rain, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I enjoy mornings on the beach so much, I am always astonished what the elements Water, Earth, and Air can create, it is always more than my imagination could.

Caribbean Ray, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

In Cancún, on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, you find some of the best beaches in the world and endless stunning sunrises for inspiration.

Morning Sun Cancun, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Gorgeous turquoise water, beautiful white sand beaches, amazing sunrises. Much needed break.

Playa Cancun, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett 

Nothing is more relaxing than that gentle sound of the surf hitting the beach.

Sounds of the Caribbean Sea, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I know I have probably said this a million times, but the color of the water here is hypnotic, just pure natural beauty. 

Turquoise Surf, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

 

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Small Works / Color Studies – March 2020

There are times I think the sky is daring me to paint it.

As if it is saying there’s no way you can catch me.

I am too wild.

Untamed Sky, oil on panel, 5x7 inches, Jim Serrett

Thunderstorms where heavy this afternoon and there was a controlled burn in the Shawnee Forest. 

I’ve been told either one can cause a sky like this. 

Rather brooding and ominous but interesting.

Yellow Sky, oil on panel, 5x7 inches, Jim Serrett

The morning haze is being burned away and the sun is warming the day.

The world is wide-awake.

Lake View – mid-morning, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

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Small Works / Color Studies – Love the Process

Painting has been a major part of my life for decades. I am not sure what it would be like without it?
Even when the results sucked, if I am engaged with the exploration, I am always rewarded.
My sage advice.  Appreciate the journey. Love the process of painting.

These are some studies from the end of fall.  December Pochades 2019

A favorite spot to paint, we launch our kayaks and explore the lake from here.
I think it is one of the most beautiful lakes in Southern Illinois. It is a Zen place for us.

Boat Dock Road - Cedar Lake, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Enormous numbers of Egrets this year along the Mississippi. I guess because of the flooded fields. I think there's a beautiful, elegant simplicity to watching them hunt in shallow waters, moving slowly with the neck extended searching or standing motionless until the prey comes within striking distance.

White Egrets - Old State Rte 3, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Probably the last day of fall colors before the rains. The beautiful changes are eye candy.

Late Fall Walk, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim

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Small Works / Color Studies – June

It is like watching a parade of giants floating above the lake. I am small again.

Cloud Parade, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Lately the storms have been both dangerous and beautiful.

Nature is full of contradictions.

Sometimes the rain can be sad and happy.

What’s That - Big Rain, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I painted this from my imagination, it is play... but also, memory and design training.

Everyone should learn to dream trees.

I Dream Trees, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Glass can be the most fun thing to paint, so many abstract passages, reflections and transparencies...  I will never bore of painting glass.

Blue and Clear Bottle, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

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Small Works / Color Studies – Spring

I love watching the rain on the horizon it is an endless abstraction of form, light and color.

Fast-moving storm crossing the Mississippi into Illinois.

Fast Storm, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Really interesting formations, I’m guessing Nimbostratus clouds and some front meeting?

Spring Convergence, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

There is incredible subtle energy in nature, if you take a moment to observe.

These clouds moved along the with the flow of the Mississippi river almost in synchronized harmony.

River of Clouds, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

These trees are just off my deck, I have probably drawn them or painted them a dozen times.

I will probably draw them or paint them a dozen times more.  😊

Trees Outback, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

I will never tire of the beauty and transformation of a sunset.

Sunset Over the Lake, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

In early spring there is this amazing transformation of color, it is my favorite time of year, when the earth tones of Winter and the greening of Spring collide.

The Greening, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

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Small Works / Color Studies – Mexico

I must admit that I am not much of a morning person, my wife Linda finds it so funny that when we are in Mexico, I get up early and go to the beach for every sunrise. I am drawn to those amazing skies at dawn on the Caribbean Sea.  In Cancún, on the Yucatán Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea, you find some of the best beaches in the world and endless stunning sunrises for inspiration.

And I know I have probably said this a million times, but the color of the water here is hypnotic, just pure natural beauty. It was a great trip, and we had some of the best snorkeling adventures this year. Also, we got a chance to do a little island hopping along the Yucatan coast to explore Isla Contoy (National Park) and Isla Mujeres (Isle of Women). But mostly we spent two long weeks enjoying the beautiful beach.

I did a bit of sketching. And this year I took along a little compact pochade box to do oil studies in, which turned out to be just a perfect beach kit. My goal was to capture the color, value, atmosphere, of this unique location. So here are a few of the sketches from Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Enjoy 

Such beautiful sunrises in Cancun. I got up early enough to catch several, I am drawn to those amazing skies at dawn on the Caribbean Sea with the sun exploding up over the morning clouds.

Cancun Sunrise, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett © jimserrettstudio

I love the watching the colors change at sunrise on the beach. 

Small sketches and studies are great exercises and I learn so much from them.

Caribbean Morning, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Early morning light with a storm on the horizon. The energy of a wave is hard to capture. You must look for the simple elements such as design, shapes, values, color and edges. You could do hundreds of studies and none would look the same.

Yucatan Sunrise, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Straight out from this lifeguard tower we were able to walk over 100 yards in waist deep turquoise water. And let the rolling waves wash over us.

Lifeguard Tower Mexico, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Watching clouds build up on the horizon. The sea along the Yucatan Peninsula is one of the most beautiful in the world, just amazing. I could paint it forever, exploring and studying the colors, all the deep violets and endless cerulean blues. Chillax :)

Cloud Study on the Yucatan Peninsula, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

There is no image of Cancun as iconic as Palapas on the white sand against the cerulean blue sea with clouds bellowing overhead. Probably because of the memories it conjures and the story it can tell.

Caribbean Palapas, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Kinich Ahau (K'inich Ajaw) was the Sun God of the Mayans and was believed to turn into a jaguar as he went through the underworld (Xibalbá) each night. You can almost see him in the sun battling the dark clouds.

Mayan Sun, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett © jimserrettstudio

Every morning is different on the Caribbean Sea, the light is never the same.
It is in flux, shifting atmospheric conditions—light flickering on water, moving clouds, a burst of rain. You can get lost in the moment painting the appearance of quickly changing light.

Beach Morning, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Painting surf is like trying to hit a moving target. It’s a fascinating exercise to get better at painting all types of subjects on location. But its also just so much fun.

Caribbean Surf, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

I love the deep blue of the vaulting sky, watching clouds float and dance.
An oil study looking down the beach from the Royal Islander Resort towards Punta Nizuc in Cancun, Mexico.
Dos cervezas más, por favor señor

Looking Towards Punta Nizuc, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

When I sit in front of the Caribbean Sea and try to match the colors with little piles of paint, shifting around the hue, value and chroma. My goal is to make as close as I can, the color I see -- that blue, blue-green or blue-violet –  and then realize how beautiful, sublime and imaginative nature is.

Colors of the Caribbean Sea, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett ©

Sketches from the Caribbean Sea are available through my online store. 

These oil paintings are framed. If interested follow this link. 

Serrett Studio Etsy Store - www.etsy.com/shop/SerrettStudio

Getting up early to paint the Caribbean sunrise. Chillax

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

Website - jimserrett.com 
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Small Works / Color Studies Spring

You can watch amazing cloud formations along the Mississippi River bottoms, there are some very nice long vistas to view the clouds roll in from the Southwest.

Mississippi Thunderhead - Cloud Forms III, 5 x 7 inches, oil on panel, Jim Serrett

The lazy days of summer, watching clouds build up on the horizon.

Forming big, billowing mushrooming thunder heads.

Thunderhead: a rounded mass of cumulus or cumulonimbus cloud often appearing before a thunderstorm.

Cloud Forms II, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, Jim Serrett

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

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Small Works / Color Studies 2018

“Resolve” the determination of this tree to keep it's fall colors as long as it can, just impressed on me the spirit of nature.

Resolve, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches ©jimserrett

I always enjoy those moments when some type of alchemy occurs between the paint and my subject.

Passing Front, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches © jimserrett

I really enjoy the long views and vistas during this part of the season. Just so many subtle colors, and when the light hits it, a nice glow. I attempted to capture that glow in this small color sketch.

Golden Valley, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches © jimserrett

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#pochadeboxpainting #pleinair #colorstudy #oilsketch

The Long View

This has been a busy spring, lots of art activities going on, exhibitions and shows in several local communities which I am participating in. So it’s been a lot of framing and organizing of work, between that and the turbulent weather we are having here, there has not been much brush time.

Did get this little study done, I like these long views across the plowed fields, very typical Southern Illinois scenery this time of year. It is also a pretty good metaphor for me to keep in mind, when placing your work out there to exhibit you need to see the long view. Like everybody else I get impatient about the goals I want to achieve, I tell myself my skills need to be at this level, my sales at that and so on and on. The reality is that with all of this stuff, - the journey to success is not a sprint, but a marathon.           

To find a good pace and take the long view.

The Long View, oil on panel, 5 x 7 inches, © Jim Serrett Studio

“It's not a sprint, it's a marathon.”

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

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Studio Paintings - 3 Landscapes

I find trees to be one of the most interesting and complex things to draw and paint, there is just so much variety, from the different species and through the changing seasons they always present a new challenge. I see them as peaceful and contemplative; almost a meditation.

Autumn Shore, oil on panel, 9 x 12 in Jim Serrett

Daytime Moon, oil on panel, 8 x 10 in Jim Serrett

I had read that daytime moon was called a “children’s moon because their eyes were sharp enough to pick it out, where the old folks, with fading vision, could not tell it from the clouds.”

Turns out the prime time for a Daytime Moon is when the Moon gets close to its quarter phases that is the ideal conditions for it to be seen during the day. That is, it is bright enough, far enough away from the Sun to be seen, and rises or sets during daylight hours. When all of these conditions come together, and when the sky is clear enough, the Moon becomes visible during the daytime.

Keep an eye up to the sky, you never know what you might see.

Clouds Over Cedar Lake, oil on panel, 8 x 13 in Jim Serrett

I can spend endless hours watching the ripple rhythm and shadows sail across the lake.

These studio works are created from my Pochade studies, field sketches and my visual memory of an experience. In the studio I hope to let a concept evolve and speak with a little more information and clarity. In these works, I can explore my observations about nature in a more control environment and inject my personal vision and interpretations.

One of the characteristics of oil painting I enjoy most is the ability to create transparent, semi-transparent and opaque layers of paint. Manipulating those qualities can give an image a lot of texture and depth. I like the variation of greens you get with glazes and scumbling effects. You start playing around with the color green differently when you work in thin layers and use it to unify passages. Building up paint in layers of glazes and scumbles provides a arsenal of effects that can create atmosphere in a landscape painting.

I truly enjoy working through an idea with the process of creating thumbnails and roughs. Relying on observations made over time and my memory of the place, it becomes layers of thought, that for me, reach a higher level of understanding and refinement.

Explore - Question - Learn - - Enjoy, Jim 

Website - jimserrett.com 
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Landscape Blog - Pochade Box Paintings