Emerald Wave. Painting #32. New Beginnings on the Emerald Coast

A first Florida brushstroke after a long pause—a soft seascape rooted in new surroundings.

Emerald Wave marks my 32nd painting—and the first one I completed after moving from England to Florida. Talk about a shift in scenery! Back in England, I was surrounded by forests and meadows. Now? I’m in the Florida Panhandle, right on the Gulf. It’s a totally different world—white sand beaches, emerald-green water, and skies that seem to stretch forever.

Getting Started

This Emerald Wave painting came after my longest break from painting since I picked up the hobby—about three months off the brush. Between training, buying a new home, and waiting for all my belongings to arrive from overseas, picking up a paintbrush had to wait. But when I finally did, I wanted something approachable—something that could help shake off the rust without demanding too much technical gymnastics.

The Inspiration

The inspiration came during a work conference in Destin. My hotel looked straight out at the Gulf, and the color of the water stopped me in my tracks. That rich emerald tone stayed with me long after I left. When I got home, I loosely followed along with The Joy of Painting, Season 5, Episode 9, using it more as a launchpad than a blueprint.

Materials and Equipment Used

Colors

• Liquid Clear
• Bright Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Dark Sienna
• Phthalo Green
• Phthalo Blue
• Titanium Hwite
• Don’t forget the Liquid Hwite!

Equipment

• 2 Inch Brush
• 1 Inch Brush
• #6 Fan Brush
• Large Palette Knife
• Script Liner Brush
• Filbert Brush

This one was relatively simple by design. My focus was the water—that deep blue-green that’s so specific to this stretch of coastline. It didn’t land quite as “emerald” as I envisioned, but I’m still pleased overall. The composition is calm: a soft wave rolling in, distant clouds, and gentle seafoam. It was also my first seascape in a while, which made it a fitting reentry.

Final Thoughts

Emerald Wave may not be the flashiest painting in the collection, but it marks an important turning point—a soft landing after a season of change. It got me back in rhythm, introduced me to a new coastline.

Emerald Wave never made it to the shop. These days, it lives in my home, hanging quietly in the guest bathroom. It serves as a simple reminder of new chapters, salt air, and starting again—even if just with a brush in hand. It’s not officially for sale, but if it happens to catch your eye… feel free to reach out.

Thanks for reading—feel free to leave a comment, explore the gallery for more, or check out the blog for behind-the-scenes stories and painting breakdowns. You can also find me on socials and browse available work in the Etsy shop (until my shop here gets renovated).

Until next time, Happy Painting!