Tropical Watercolors

Our homebase in Aruba was beautiful with spectacular views of the ocean and the pool.  I probably spent more time on this painting than any of the others because of the architectural aspects of it.   The vantage point was across the pool area from the sixth floor.    I don't generally like a top down angle, but I really loved this view and was determined to try to capture it.   I liked the reflection of the middle palm trees in the pool and the thatched palm branch roofs.






Beach Walk to North

We usually walk every morning we can and it's no different on vacation.  Once away from the hotel area, the beaches become more deserted and natural.

We came across a group of bright colorful trailers and tents inhabited by Aruban vacationers who were celebrating the Queen's Birthday holiday.


Beach Shelter and Red Dory

Parasail

Water sports are practiced continuously.   Every so often along the walk there would be a small bunker type structure that provided windsurfing equipment and lessons.  There also were occasional boat rental and sun shelters.   The foundation of many structures were made of large hewn coral building blocks, like in this beach shelter above right.

Walking south from the hotels is less deserted but no less beautiful in its own way.  This blue marker is surrounded by a flat dock that swimmers can jump from or boaters can tie up to.  Two pirate ships are moored out in the distance.

 I think that's it for the vacation watercolors.   It took me a few days to get into the watercolor mode, the precise sketch, the masking fluid that keeps white highlights white, and then the whole sequence of working from light to dark.     I enjoyed all of them, but am excited to get back to my oils, equipped with some lessons learned by cross-training with seawater.