Well, back to the drawing board (?). The first step, for me, before picking up the brush is procrastination. I think about the painting. I see it in my head. I place it where I will pass it and notice it each time. I finish parts of it in my imagination. I wander around doing whatever else I can do to prolong the start of painting again.
Since I always do this, it apparently is part of my technique.
So, unable to distract myself further, I set up my painting either on an easel or a table, get the paints ready, and finally pick up the brush again. This time I began with a small brush and painted in the water, then I moved some of that color into the sky and the foliage. The next step was to take a dabbing brush and add some blue to the foliage closest to the water to begin to make it look further away.
Next, using a flat tipped brush, I worked some purples and blues into the sand for shadows, also touching the sky with the same colors here and there. I added some white to the sand/path where the sun would be touching it.
Since I always do this, it apparently is part of my technique.
So, unable to distract myself further, I set up my painting either on an easel or a table, get the paints ready, and finally pick up the brush again. This time I began with a small brush and painted in the water, then I moved some of that color into the sky and the foliage. The next step was to take a dabbing brush and add some blue to the foliage closest to the water to begin to make it look further away.
Next, using a flat tipped brush, I worked some purples and blues into the sand for shadows, also touching the sky with the same colors here and there. I added some white to the sand/path where the sun would be touching it.