Emma's Portfolio

Emma Putman "The Walkway"

9x12, Painting, 2025 

(IDEA) I wanted to paint this picture I took on vacation this summer in Florida. The calm beach, bright colors, and happy moments I had there made me want to turn the photo into a painting so I could remember it and share that feeling with others.

(PROCESS) I started by painting the whole canvas light blue. I then used the transfer paper to outline the house and bushes. Next, I started my sunset, using white, yellow, purple, and blue to blend it. I used the same color of blue as the sky and a little white to make the water look like it was off the bridge. I painted my house using grey paint and a black skinny marker to make the lines. I used lighter and darker shades of grey to make it look like a real house. Then, I used greens, browns, and black to make the bushes. I painted in lines, so it would look more realistic. Lastly, I did my bridge by painting the bottom grey/black and then painting the sides brown. I used a black paint maker to make the lines on the bridge. I used acrylic paint, paintbrushes, a sponge, water, paint markers, transfer painting, and a ruler to make this painting.

(SYMBOLISM & ICONOGRAPHY)  My idea for this painting was to teach people to appreciate the beauty of life. After going on vacations every spring break, I started to notice how many amazing things we sometimes take for granted. When people look at this painting, I want them to think about being on the beach with the sun beating on their skin. 

(ARTISTIC GROWTH) The most difficult part for me was making the bridge look how I would like it and making it look realistic. I needed someone to tell me what they thought about it, which helped me later. Then, I kept adding some shadows until I liked it. If I started over, I would change the sunset. I think it looks too much like clouds, so I would blend out the top more. 

(VISUAL VOICE) This artwork is a realistic style. This is unique because I love traveling and being in tropical places. Taking pictures on vacations makes me happy because it allows me to look back at them and remember the beauty. I love how it looks next to my reference photo. 

Emma Putman "Sunset"

6x11, Watercolor, 2025

(IDEA) The idea came from thinking about a vacation. My idea evolved as I started adding details, like the colors in the sky and the birds, to make it feel more realistic. My inspiration mainly came from my own experience at the beach, but I was also influenced by other sunset and ocean paintings I’ve seen.

(PROCESS) I used pink, orange, and yellow watercolor paint to make the sunset. I blended them better using water and mixing the colors. I then used blue watercolor paint to paint the water. When it was dry, I used white to try to make it look more realistic. Then, I used brown to make a little sand bar. Lastly, I used brown and back to make the trunk of the palm tree and green to make the leaves. I also added coconuts and birds because I thought it was too boring. I used a watercolor palette, water, and a brush for this artwork. 

(SYMBOLISM & ICONOGRAPHY)  My intention with this artwork was to share the beauty of a sunset at the beach. This painting represents calmness, happiness, and the beauty of nature. I want my audience to think about relaxing on the beach, watching a sunset, and listening to the waves. This painting shows how I enjoy being on the beach. 

(ARTISTIC GROWTH) The most difficult part for me was the water because I wanted it to look realistic, but it was hard to smoothly blend the watercolors without the paper getting soggy. I overcame this by slowly layering the colors and waiting until it was fully dry to paint over. If I started over, I would spend more time adding details to the palm tree and maybe include more texture in the sand to make it look more realistic. 

(VISUAL VOICE) This style of artwork is realistic. It’s unique to my style because I like painting scenes with light colors. I love it because it reminds me of my vacations and makes me feel relaxed.

Emma Putman ""

Size, Painting, 2025

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