Freedom Beach. Painting #74. Fourth of July Artwork
Date Painted: July 6, 2019
Size: 16 x 20 Canvas
Freedom Beach is painting #74, and it was one of those fun, spontaneous pieces I streamed live on Twitch. I wanted to do something lighthearted for the Fourth of July– nothing too serious, just a playful holiday scene to share with the community.
The Inspiration
The idea was simple: a calm beach at night, fireworks bursting over the water, and their reflections rippling across the surface.
This one is an original painting, though I did borrow a few techniques from Bob Ross, especially the black canvas approach. Starting with a dark surface makes nighttime scenes so much easier to build, and it gives the colors a chance to glow.
Colors & Equipment
Colors
Equipment
Tips & Tricks
I kept the process pretty straightforward. Like any black canvas painting, I began with a thin coat of liquid clear and added a transparent under color. In this case alizarin crimson and phthalo blue, something subtle to give the sky and water a base. Titanium White (or liquid white) is what brings those colors forward. I used liquid white for the water highlights and the fireworks themselves. The fireworks gave me a little trouble at first, but I managed to pull them back together with the liner brush and some patience.
Overall, this scene is simple and approachable, especially if you’re new to black canvas work. It’s a great way to practice reflections, soft blending, and small details without getting overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
I’m pleasantly surprised with how it turned out, especially considering it was more of a “let’s have some fun on stream” kind of piece. If you enjoy holiday‑themed art or want to try a nighttime beach scene yourself, this is a great place to start.
If you’d like to explore more paintings or behind‑the‑scenes posts, you can browse the gallery, read more on the blog, or follow along on social media for works‑in‑progress and new releases.
Happy Painting.