What really grabs me about this one is the closeness of the view. The energy of the water is really converted when we’re basically standing in it. As always, Mike, thanks for a great vid.
I don't often do close ups. I prefer to have some distance from the subject but it's fun to experiment with a different approach. Glad you enjoyed the video!
I love that moment when the big wave stands up just before it breaks and the front of it is marbled with white curvy lines and some of it has crested a little here and there. Great painting
beautiful painting, made me feel like i was at the beach instead of buried under feet of snow here on the east coast! the way you catch the motion is really impressive
Love the contrasts between the rocks and the white water , the viridian gives a feeling of energy and luminosity to the ensemble. Love your work. Thank you for sharing. Gives warmth to the freezing winter here in Quebec 🌨️
You are like Manet painting a seascape. What can I say. Impressionist painter. Paint a crowd of people at a park to see how impressionistic you are. I see Homer, Hopper, too. Sorry, seascapes were room art that I never really appreciated until I saw your videos which I like very much. The toaster, street scenes, rainey nights in neon. Love that. I independently studied art for a long time as a hobby and had the best library. I’m old and downsized and regret giving the art books to charity,
Again, I must tell you how much I love your work. Yes, I immediately noticed the purple. Love it! I would modify the middle wave so that it’s not so “Mt Shasta”.
These motifs can easily look cheesy but you really pulled it off. I like how you got layers of relatively high chroma paint to shine through/cover and complement each other in the foreground. Came together really nice.
Excellent job. As far as the crashing waves in painting, I hear your point. And I agree. Sometimes the stillness of a crashing wave painting seems unnatural and contrived but other times it works. When I see waves with moonlight coming thru the crest of the wave, it is as if the painter has stopped time to show this brillaint light coming through, it sometimes feels disingenious. Plenty of ‘light’ painters do this and it works…..but feels to me, calculated and contrived. Your painting works because of the natural feel of the crashing wave. Anybody who has stood before an ocean watching those crashing waves will be able to hear that sound as they look at your painting. Bravo!
Thanks! I feel like if an artist is motivated by the search for truth, or to understand something, the results won't feel calculated or formulaic. Problem solving is one of the things I love most about painting!
I love the big waves!! What really holds me in is that this so close up that you can have the large strokes of colors in the water - especially the greens. I really love the greens in this one, and purples used with it are amazing!
Thanks Lisa! That's a great point, regarding the large strokes of color. Looking for subtle shifts in color reflected on the surface is one of the things I enjoy most about painting seascapes. 😊
If you were concerned about the crashing waves being convincing--you absolutely didn't need to worry Michael. Absolutely beautiful painting. Great composition and tons of energy. I REALLY like this one!
I really love this one!! My dad and I tried to paint that elusive “frozen wave” and it’s fun but you’re right, it’s hard to keep it natural and realistic. My dad collected a few wave paintings from some local artists. One from the painting postman from Laguna is a favorite of mine!
Wilson Hurley did some masterful seascapes with breaking waves. I really like your painting, Mike. The composition and color gave it energy and motion!
Nicely captured Michael! I think you have a great memory for something that is so fleeting. And when you say that you saw some purple in the water on the left side of the painting, in the shadow of the rocks, it proves that each painting is so much about the artist and what they see. That's why I find it interesting when you paint alongside Ariah or Tad or any of your other painting partners, to see how they paint the same spot. This turned out beautifully. I especially love the reflections of the waves/whitewater creeping up the beach. I feel that is one of the biggest components of capturing the light of the scene. Beautiful!
Thanks Matthew! The reflections on the surface of the water can easily be overlooked since the water is in motion and the reflections are muted versions of what they're reflecting. You've really got to look for them!
Great painting. The colors are vivid and clean. Lots of power and energy in the brushwork. And you said your object was to make it all convincing, I’m convinced. Regarding your purple reflections in the water- if you have time take a good look at Sorolla’s beach paintings. There is lots of color in the reflected water. Colors that surprised me. He uses quite a bit of purple and a sickly green for flesh reflected. It completely works for him anyhow. I find much of Sorolla’s work screaming with daylight. Best of luck. I enjoy all your videos. I get something out of every one. Thanks.
Thanks William! Yes, I noticed that Sorolla often uses little notes of saturated color here and there. It really does boost the luminosity. I'm starting to experiment doing the same.
You certainly caught the power and energy of the waves. I am hoping to do some plein air painting in Pescadero on February 8th. I will set up where you did and give it a try. Thanks for your knowledge and inspiration.
Finally figured out why I like watching your videos - especially the seascape videos - right before I go to sleep. Years ago, when I lived in Palo Alto, there was a radio station in Menlo Park that played the sound of waves crashing all night long, and jazz the rest of the time. It was always so peaceful and calming. With your videos, the plus is, there's a really nice painting, a nice visual, to go with the peaceful sounds. Thanks also, for the painting inspiration.
Absolutely love this painting , extremely nice feel , the touches of purple makes this painting very vibrant ans believable . Chamberlain is an inspired artist and an inspiration
Yep been on RU-vid watching art and the interpretation of this painting has got to be the best ever no flowery bits but straight up to what it is, great stuff just like being there what more can you do , congratulations for a great view and video , cheers and thanks
So sage! I always love your commentary. You really expressed something I’ve always thought about-those Laguna and Carmel seascapes painters who have dramatic breaking waves, but I always see them as not really realistic, as you said. I agree with you that the elusive quality of that natural phenomena is hard to convey without being a cliche and not ‘natural.’
I can definitely see that you’re not that familiar with close ups, but still i love how u played along, kinda like a new but fun and interesting experience, and after all, it turned out so amazing. it was just like magic to see a lot of colors turning into a place in one second to another, pretty interesting indeed i loved it 🥰
Thank you for this video so much! I really adore the way you notice the interesting colours in the waves! Your paintings are magic! It's a masterpiece! Thank you!)
A beautiful day, aims to capture the ocean Dramatic action, energy and motion Zoom in, shadow shapeshifter Careful observation, color bewitcher Making magic on 11 by 22 panel Join Patreon support RU-vid’s best channel 😁 🌊 🌊 I think you already moved the ball downfield. You captured so much of the essence of a beautiful day and scene. Just incredible. The colors and composition are beautiful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thanks for sharing! Peace and love..Suz What ☮️💛
Living in the middle of England, I enjoy your seacapes and envy you the warm winters where you can paint outside. If you Google Cornish storm or seascape paintings, you will see how the artist who flock to the SW tip ofEngland approach the task. The Atlantic waves and rocky cliffs and shores can be romanitic and dramatic. You might even enjoy the surfing at Newquay but it is a bit cold compared with California!!
Thanks Ian! Water here in Northern California is usually in the low 50s during the winter (11 C). Pretty cold! I'd love to come paint and surf in England someday.
Great colour and light Mike, viridian realy works in this one. It is an old colour Monet used a lot I think? Softening a misty edge look on the waves appears more natural hey. Well done!
Hi Micheal….I have only tried painting a seascape once, so just a thought here. I notice the difference in the way you hold your brush from the beginning sketch in of the composition to the end when you get a little tighter with the details. Then you hold the brush more like a pencil which makes sense to have more control. Of course the waves are kinda out of control, so perhaps holding the brush like you did in the beginning would add that energy? Not sure, just a thought and I agree that that left wave could be reworked. Thanks for putting yourself out there for us to think about it! Cheers-Greg
Capturing motion, it's a tricky one. Motion images seem synonymous with photography and if you're a painter who is trying to differentiate yourself from the camera's like myself and many artists, I would try to avoid certain subjects. I try and stick to subject matter that is observable by the human eye during the painting process. Having said that I think this particular painting of the waves is keenly observed and therefore has merit. Always love watching your videos!
Thanks David! As I mentioned, I usually avoid close ups of motion. I do feel like it's good to experiment from time to time to see if I can make any discoveries. Glad you're enjoying my videos!
came out so awesome!!! I tried my first plein air and first oil painting...my canvas was facing direct sun....the painting didnt come out as bright as I thought it was...
Thanks Paresh! Yes, having your painting in direct sun will usually result in a dark painting. I try to turn my easel so that the surface of the painting is in the shade.
Beautiful format and painting Mike! Your take on big splashing waves compositions is probably bevause you are in front of moving water all the time, but if a wave is well done even if it takes most of the composition it will transmit movement and energy. Cheers!
Aaaawwwww ! Your in flip flops Mike. So jealous. Its very chilly here in Wales. Love the drama of that moment just after the impact. Those waves spilling over the rocks. Andrew Tischler does a good wave painting video. Hwyl
Thanks Dai! Ha, I think it's the surfing that keeps me wearing flip flops (even when it's cold). It's hard putting on socks and shoes when your feet are wet!!
Hi Michael, I was watching your video on how you got started and you mentioned a lady who had a painting series. Is her name Gaye Levee? Her series is called Learn & Master Painting with Gayle Levee. It goes into deep detail on oil painting. I love your techniques. I am trying to learn how to loosen up with my painting. I try to get every detail and it takes me forever to finish a painting.
I just googled Gayle, and it wasn't her. Thanks for the suggestion. Most people suggest Helen Van Wyk but it wasn't her either. One of these days I'll figure out who it was!
To loosen up I encourage students to limit tools and time. Try painting with a timer and try to get all the largest shapes in first. You can also use a really big brush. I mean BIG. Bigger than you think you need. This will make it very difficult to work in detail. Also hold the brush at the very end of the handle and at arms length. Don’t hold it like a pencil. This will make it very hard to work in detail. Give it a go and let me know what you think. :) I’d love to know what you think.
If you ever do merch I want the signature "Michael Chamberlain tattered sleeve flannel" haha Breaking waves are defiantly and intimidating subject matter. Just re: what you said about the brushwork softening the edges, I think if I was going to tackle it I'd try for a variety of different strokes to really capture the turbulent nature of the impact over the rocks. Nice work though buddy, I think this one turned out really well!
Really interesting video. Keep going! When the water piles up like that there seems to be more colors. I like the breaking waves that Clyde Aspevig did for his big 2010 book of landscapes called Visual Music. Big rollers coming in, not too cliché. Colors are extremely warm in closer to shore because this is a Hawaiian location. Has some other ocean works that are incredibly beautiful and different. I think you would enjoy seeing his brushstrokes in these. If you can’t find it let me know.
@@chamberlainpaintings he has a painting of Pescadero beach in Visual Music. After watching you I see it with new eyes! Visual music may be out of print. But I would send you mine😄
-( Michael, you ask about painting “” capturing wave action “” in it’s 2 nd , & 3 rd stage of reaction, my felt opinion as experimental situations you have known, , paint the secondary, and third stage of the explosion “” first”” . You could use the film clip at the end, , be able to have “” stilled points of action”” and , “” be able to see it play in reverse”” , during the experiment, “” don’t have any forward motion to accidentally get played””, if you hit replay the full sequence starts over in reverse. The thought in my feeling is “” your natural creativity “” will glean perception solidity . Thinking you paint the extended surfaces of the violent action first. Don’t do a whole painting, You can make prints of the ‘ “” stilled mature explosions “”. For some reason it feels like you will climb the steep curve of new creativity much more quickly. Being in the clip now , it was after the two secondary events of exploding white water occurred on the left, that the above flashed mentally. Just seemed I should mention it )- 🧐🤔🧐😝😌🙂
Sue Read is a Cornish painter in the UK whose work you might find interesting. I love her style and if you are interested in how another painter paints waves it might be worth a look. I love your painting.
Beautiful Painting, looking at it and you in your commentary, it’s a brilliant piece of creativity, and a wonderful privilege to see, it’s an explosive depiction that does contain sound, action , with real ness and believable awe. Thank you for sharing 🧐😌🙂
Michael, at 0:00 your video see the solidity of the ridge atop the approach of the pressure wave. at 0:01 extreme left , sign of affect, wave height approach growing, solid ridge. at 0:02 - hear a seagull’s audible, notice vertical spikes begin atop the wave shooting upwards, by , just into 0:03 , the vertical shock wave of spikes moves to the right and prior to the initial wave curl. Look further down the wave ridge to the right, they are visible, to a limited point. By 0:04 see more initial curl and “” fast frequency “” of sound escape . I stepped through slow motion a few times, a hammer’s swing speed striking a 4 inch hollow galvanized steel post produces sound waves that travel faster than the hammer. As you voiced your perceptions throughout the video it’s obvious “” the Spirit of Creativity’s Knowledge “” is in you, the complexities of you explaining, “”intricate capture of motion”” , gives me a more , circumspect admiration , for your skills & gifts. Thank you Michael for a Beautiful Painting and video ❤️
I am curious about your easel set up...from what I could see you have it reinforced to handle the wind. Could you do a video on how to adapt to wind, etc? Thanks
The purple highlights completed the painting perfectly....as did the olive green....great seascape! You were able to truly capture the motion of the waves.as well as the rocks..well done! Quick question...what size brush do you use for your burnt sienna sketching?
I think you captured it very well even though, as you say it’s not easy. I’m in UK and follow an artist called Andrew Barrowman who paints the coast of Cornwall en plain sure. I think he has some very good ideas for dealing with surf and breaking waves. Anyway, see what you think. Lucky you painting in good weather. We have a storm Coming in here in North West Wales.
Thanks for the tip on Andrew's work! I enjoyed taking a look. We had lots of rain and cloudy days in the beginning of the winter so I"m thankful for the recent sunny days 😊
AS always, great work! I'm curious as to how quickly the liquin dries the paint. I noticed as you put in the light areas of the waves over the dark area of the rocks, you didn't appear to pick up any of the paint underneath.
I like this painting because yours isn’t trite. I think it’s hard subject to do without it looking cheap and somewhat insulting to the integrity of nature.I like the foreground water and the wonderful free brushstrokes and color variety.
