Painting Seascapes – Making The Scenery Look Bigger
This week, we dive deeper into painting seascapes and other big sceneries. In spring, I thought my painting Atlantis was already finished, but after seeing the ship paintings in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam in May, I realized that I had made my seascape painting too simple and small-scale, and went back to working on it. Now it’s finished!
Painting a Bigger Sea
Despite the size of the canvas, you can make the seascape or any scenery look larger by adjusting the composition and the size of the brushstrokes. Compare the finished version with the one below!
When you want to make a seascape look bigger, add tiny strokes, especially near the horizon, and adjust both left and right edges so that it looks like the seascape continues outside the painting.
The changes may look small when you look at the small photos, but in reality, they make a big difference. Here’s a close-up photo of before and after.
There are so many details that it was easier to make a short video instead of sharing more pics.
Seascapes don’t have to be boring and all blue. They can include all kinds of events and creatures, even buildings like in my painting.
A Series of Big Sceneries in Progress
It’s been a hot July in Finland, and my little studio is really warm in the afternoon. But I have big canvases in a queue, and the next one is already in progress.
New Course Is Coming Up!
Painting seascapes and other sceneries is exciting, but as you know, I also love flowers. I will be running a new watercolor course called Wild Garden from 22nd September to 14th November. Here’s a small teaser pic …
The early-bird sale of Wild Garden will start next week, so stay tuned!
How to Discover Yourself as an Artist
This week I share deep thoughts about how to discover yourself as an artist and how to get discovered. I have a video for you and also, some photos of making a recent large oil painting called “Atlantis”.
When I paint, I am an introvert, but after the session, I want to connect with the world.
When the painting is not finished, I may look at it with a very critical eye.
Then I think: Only if you knew what I think, how I feel, and how I have made myself to always reach higher.
This week, I want to tell you. I want to share some things I have found helpful in my artistic career. How I have discovered my artistry and more: how I have got discovered as an artist.
How to Discover Yourself as an Artist and How to Get Discovered – Watch the Video!
I hope this was helpful. Tell us what you think!
I am always waiting for your comments!
Flower Painting Comes to Life – Watch the Video!
This week you get to paint with me in my little studio. We follow the birth of this flower painting from blank canvas to an exhibition.
In the video, you see me painting and chatting, and also get to visit my current exhibition at the gallery Gumbostrand Konst & Form. The exhibition is from Feb 12 to March 9, 2025 in Sipoo, Finland.
From Blank Canvas to Exhibition Piece – Watch the Video!
While I paint the flower painting, I talk about making art, becoming an artist, and what it’s like to paint freely and not use any reference photos. This is a longer video than usually because I have collected the material for it many months.
In the video, I talk not only about painting but drawing too. I love to play by drawing, and that play affects my paintings. Never underestimate the effect of play, and always keep playing and drawing, no matter how high you want to reach!
Hearts and Stories – Sign Up Now!
Let’s draw for your inner child and make the most out of simple shapes!
Hearts and Stories will begin on March 17, 2025. >> Sign Up Now!
Art On the Wall – Displaying Canvas Paintings
Our home is full of art. Almost all my canvas paintings are displayed on the walls. The arrangements change when old ones are sold and new ones are born. In this blog post, I show some of the paintings and how they are displayed at the moment.
When using stretched canvases, framing is not necessary. I hope this inspires you to create some canvas art. Check out my acrylic painting course Floral Freedom and see more of my paintings at paivieerola.com/gallery!
In the Gallery Corner
Our library room is on the darker side of our house, but I think that the lack of daylight and a heavy atmosphere goes well with the books and nostalgic-style paintings.
Displaying different sizes of canvas paintings on the same wall looks great but needs planning. I made a plan in Photoshop first, and then we hung them all at once.
Above the Aquarium
People often say that all my canvas paintings express the underwater world. That hasn’t been intentional because I am actually afraid of deep waters. But my husband has had aquariums for decades, and they must have affected my art.
The painting continues the aquarium view. And it was not planned at all!
Best Lit
Our dining area has special lighting for a big painting – LED strips in two directions that have adjustable color and intensity.
The colors of any painting are highly affected by the amount and color of light.
When I Wake Up
The bedroom is our darkest room, but every morning when I wake up, I look at the wall that is filled with my paintings.
There is also a collection of my cross-stitch projects. Stitching is just a hobby but I like the combination.
In the Hallway Gallery
I love our yellow hallway and how the color unifies a mixed collection of paintings. Displaying canvas paintings can be this easy!
This narrow hallway was super boring before we painted it and added art on the walls.
Entrance Art
Our house has a space right after the entrance where I often change a painting to one that feels current. I also decorate the top of the sideboard cabinet that’s under the painting. Now it’s time for some darker art.
Happy Halloween!