Grand Canal, Marina del Rey. Approach to Venice Beach with shapes and reflections

Here is my watercolour of the Grand Canal in Marina del Rey, on the quiet approach to Venice Beach. I loved the calm water and the mix of homes, cars and trees along the banks, all broken into simple shapes. The bright California light gives strong value change, so the reflections read well and the scene feels warm and fresh. It is a peaceful place and perfect for a study of shapes and reflections.

My plan was very simple. I drew the big shapes first and kept the detail to a minimum. I placed the pale sky wash and saved a few clean whites for sparkle on the rail and cars. Then I connected mid tones across the buildings and shrubs, so the eye moves from left to right and back into the distance. Last, I dropped in the darks in one go, which locked the scene and set up the reflections.

For colour, I used ultramarine with a touch of alizarin for the deeper water and shadow shapes. Cerulean and a little cobalt gave the cooler notes in the canal, with viridian and a spring green for the pads and bank foliage. Burnt sienna with neutral tint made the warm walls and the roof tiles, and I pushed a hint of lavender into the shaded sides of the houses. A few small marks of cadmium red suggest tail lights, and a touch of white paint lifts highlights on the railing and ripples.

If you want to try a scene like this, think big shapes and clear values. Keep the brush large, soften edges in the reflections while the wash is damp, and add a few crisp lines at the end for posts and railings. This painting is for sale, so please contact me for more information. Visit the rest of my website at www.timwilmotartist.com and join my painting club on Patreon at patreon/timwilmot. Check it out for a free trial.