seashells everywhere

We just returned from a trip to Corpus Christi Bay. There were lovely sea shells everywhere we turned at the Bed & Breakfast we stayed at in Ingleside on the Bay, some at least 12" across. Shells on tables, in baskets, on railings, sitting on top of posts in the parking area . . . Literally everywhere! Upon returning from eating out one day, I grabbed these three from one of the decks to sketch. 

SHELLS

Sketch in Rome zoological Museum

A visit to the beach in Adelaide, Australia: Alissa Duke

 I spent the weekend in Adelaide, South Australia for a seminar . I had some free time before 9am and walked  a few blocks to the beach. I did a small sketch at the beach, before it started to rain lightly. That is not so great with watercolour pencils and paper.

So I stopped drawing and walked down onto the beach and collected some shells. It is amazing that different beaches can produce new and exciting shells. I only had  about half an hour to spare, but could have spent all morning there. I put the shells in my sunglasses case, as it as the only place I could think to store them !

I think the bit and pieces of shells and stones are more interesting as the perfect shells that I used to look for on the beach when I was little. I have been drawing these shells back home in Sydney this week and there are a few more to sketch.

Watercolor seashells - Mary Richmond

 I have been an invited member here for several years but this is the first time I have actually contributed some drawings/paintings. Almost every day I draw and paint either out in nature or from nature and these seashells were some that I collected on a nearby beach on one of my last walks. It is still too cold here on Cape Cod to spend too much time painting outside, especially on the beach so I did these in my studio. Soon enough I will be back outside.

The first ones are moon snails and even though they are voracious predators I find them beautiful. At this time of year is is rare to find a whole one so when I do it always manages to find its way into my pocket.

These are knobbed whelks and although I have painted many whole ones I love the twists and turns of the ones with holes, cracks and even parts missing.

Both pieces are sketched in pencil and painted in watercolor. I write an almost daily nature blog so please stop by at Cape Cod Art and Nature.

~ no vacancy ~

~ no vacancy ~
Originally uploaded by vickylw

Early on our 2nd day at Galveston Beach, I excitedly picked up this gorgeous little shell to keep . . . . until I realized the original occupant was still there. So I took a couple of quick photos and let the next wave take him back.

Cape Cod Shells - Carolyn Pappas

Last October, my boyfriend and I took a weekend trip to Cape Cod. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of a Nor'easter and it was pouring rain the whole time. The whole trip was kind of weird and I spent most of the time looking at the choppy sea from the passenger seat window. I did really want to collect shells though, so I braved the rain and got some, even though I ended up getting soaking wet. I also took a lot of photos of seagulls, one of which I drew here. This past weekend I was cleaning and looking for stuff that I could donate or trash when I found the seashells. I was meaning to sketch them but never got around to it until now. (I took some liberties with the colors.)

Seashells

Seashells, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Smith.

I meant to practice some techniques for Cathy Johnson's online watercolor pencil class, but got a little carried away. Watercolor pencils are a stretch for me -- I want to either sketch or paint. I have to say that I'm falling in love with them, and hope the honeymoon period continues!

These little treasures were collected from Barefoot Beach in Florida at various times; I don't mind broken shells or unknown parts of things, it adds to the mystery.

Below is a scene from the same beach from an earlier time. Enjoy!

~ Elizabeth Smith Naples, FL, USA