daydreams SI: Santa surfs too

For this sustained investigation (SI) I am exploring how I can capture what I daydream about using watercolors.

For this painting, I was focusing on all the ideal components of a snowy surf sesh: Snow, a couple people in the water, and a cool mode of transportation; in this case an older peach VW bus with a very cool 6'8'' voodoo child shaped by Kurtis Woodin up top in the roof rack. this is possibly the coolest board color I have ever seen. I used Winsor Newton brick watercolors along with gouache in black white and the primary colors. My painting was putzing along, took awhile for all the layers of gouache to dry. One way I experimented ws by using a toothbrush to add the she snowflakes atop the rest of the painting. My project didn't evolve to much, I had it planned out in pencil. I guess I wasn't sure about the colors starting off so I decided which ones to use as a painted.

I used line to emphasize and clarify form throughout the painting. I used color to create contrast and emphasis. I used value to create depth of field. I used texture to create pattern, rhythm, and unity.

In this painting, A surfer has just pulled up in his van. one has left the warmth behind and is braving what would usually be dunes but are now snow drifts to get to the water. He's hoping to catch some waves with santa. Another stays behind, keeping the heaters on high and the headlights on, deciding if the surf is worth the cold. Another surfer arrived by water but forgot his anker so their just going to watch. It's not everyday you get to see Santa cross step nimble as an elf.

Im proudest of the foreground in this painting, I like the snowy footsteps and the van with the board on top.