Hayman Island sketch in pastels by artist Alan J. Benge

Whilst on holiday on Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Australia, I walked some of the marvellous hiking trails that criss cross the island. Along the track, there are viewpoints where you can stop and admire the view.
The artwork above was created as an on-the-spot sketch from one of the viewpoints I mentioned.  Fortunately, there was a small table at the lookout, and I was able to draw in relative comfort.  This view is looking towards other Whitsunday islands from Hayman. The islet that is prominent in the mid distance formed a handy triangular shape for my sketch.
The turquoise hues of the tropical waters were accomplished by smudging my finger across the illustration board to get variations in tone. The smudged finger technique was also useful for portraying some of the clouds. 

Yacht painting, Couran Cove, Queensland by artist Alan J. Benge

Pen and ink rendition, plus colour washes was the technique that I used on my sketch of yachts, anchored at Couran Cove, on Queensland's Gold Coast.
I liked the way the red lines of the yacht contrasted with the blue shadows and water effects.  The lines depicting rigging helped tie the composition together.  Boat harbours are excellent places to find subjects for your easel -  so to all aspiring artists - get on deck, and castaway your inhibitions.  Get painting, and "launch" your artistic career !

Hamilton Island panorama - original acrylic painting by Alan Benge

The Whitsundays are a source of inspiration for artists as all the ingredients for exciting paintings are here. Sea, sun, tropical landscapes, and a marvellous marine lifestyle.
In this original painting, I decided to have the mid-foreground framed by palms, with a selection of Hamilton Island golf carts travelling along the winding road. If you have ever visited Hamilton, you will have seen the golf buggies - the preferred means of getting around for many.
In the background of this acrylic picture, I painted in yachts making their way across a light blue ocean, with misty hill shapes and islands dotting the horizon.

Beaked coral fish abstract painting by artist Alan J. Benge

The underwater world offers great possibilities for the aspiring artist.  Faced with a wealth of marine life, fantastic corals, there are some marvellous opportunities for capturing this on canvas.
The above picture is of a beaked coral fish, and I have simplified the surrounding elements of the picture to appear as splashes of colour in red, blue, yellow or green.
I made use of a sponge to add texture, plus a toothbrush to create splatter.  I felt the fish stood out better on a mixed misty blue blackground, with the original white canvas forming a border around the picture.
Materials used were acrylic, and the original is not large, about 20 X 25cm, on a primed canvas panel.