Puerto Manzano SW Argentina

The sunlight in Argentina has a very special quality that creates deep, dark shadows against the bright land. In this painting, I wanted to show the contrast between the cool blue water and the warm, sandy shore. I used a lot of Ultramarine Blue and Neutral Tint to make those sharp shadows under the trees and the building. It is these dark areas that really make the bright parts of the paper look like they are glowing in the sun.

Many of you ask me how to paint figures that look natural in a landscape. I like to keep them very simple. I used a mix of Alizarin Crimson and Burnt Sienna for the people sitting at the table. By not adding too much detail, the viewer can imagine the conversation happening on the beach. It is more about the shape and the connection between the people and the shadow they sit in.

The background mountains and trees need to look far away, so I used softer edges there. I mixed Cerulean Blue with a little Viridian Green to get that hazy, distant feel. Working from the light sky down to the dark foreground helps to create a sense of depth. The white highlights on the boats were added at the very end to make them pop out against the dark water.

This original watercolour painting is now for sale. If you would like to own this piece or want to see more photos of it, please contact me for more information. I always enjoy hearing from fellow painters who appreciate the beauty of the South American landscape. It was a joy to capture this quiet moment by the lake.