I love this painting!! I am proud of myself for following my references closely, paying attention to color, contrast, brushstroke, and technique. Hence, every part of the artwork looked professional, detailed, and creative at the end. Now, I realized how crucial following references is for painting successfully - do it slow, do it right, and do it once! Not only did I become better as a painter and artist, but I had a ton of fun when each step of the process towards a masterpiece went the way I wanted. I am no longer fixing but rather creating.

The sky was quick, easy, and joyful to paint. The background grassy and rocky mountain looked intimidating at first. But by following the corresponding painting reference and changing colors and values (light and dark) often, I finished it in no time. The foreground was a mix of sand, mud, and dirt, and I did it similarly to the mountain. For details, I added rocks, pebbles, weeds, and small flowers to make the ground realistic and less empty. Although, I had to go back in and add more colors and texture to it. The water took a little longer, mainly because it covered much of the canvas. The waves and tides lightened the surface, made the water churn and stormy, and crashed into the shore. The ocean looked so much better after painting the white foams and ripples, almost like a photograph! For the reflections, I used light glazes. My favorite part in this painting is the nautilus rising from the depth of the sea. In the beginning, I thought it would be the hardest subject to paint because of the details on its body, intricate patterns in its shell, and the fact that I must make it look alive. However, not only was it much easier than I anticipated, but I enjoyed painting it so much I couldn't stop! The tentacles turned out nicely. The shell was absolutely amazing, especially with the addition of realistic water droplets, and I constantly found myself showing off the nautilus to my friends and bragging about it. Lastly, I painted the red and white variegated tulip that is also coming out of the water and oversized. I included it to balance composition and create a theme of the color red. The stripes on the flower required patience and precision, and I managed both well. There are also water drips on the petals to express connection to the ocean. Ultimately, I am super happy with this painting!!!