There were two inspirations for this step-by-step pastel painting: first the visit to the dramatic coastline at Tsitsikamma, on South Africa's Garden Route (see reference photos), and second the acquisition of a set of Unison turquoise pastels.

Unison pastels have become my firm favorites, the range of colors are perfect for both landscapes and portraiture, and they have a wonderful softness coupled with a degree of strength that softer pastels usually don't achieve. (See: Which are the Best Pastel Brands?)

I finally decided on the little inlet shown in the photo, at high tide, for my composition. I liked the strong angle the rocks made to the horizon, and the sweep the waves made as they came in.

The colors used for this seascape, including the Unison turquoise set were as follows.
For the sea:

• Turquoise (Unison turquoise 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
• Light violet-blue (Unison Blue Violet 15)
• Dark blue, almost a Prussian blue (Unison Additional 49)

For the surf:

• White (Unison white)
• Very pale blue-white (Unison Light 14)

For the rocks:

• Dark earth green, or a dark Hooker's green (Unison Additional 37)
• Pale light earth green (Unison Green 4)
• Light burnt sienna (Unison Brown Earth 10)
• Medium burnt sienna (Unison Brown Earth 11) – roughly the same color as the paper
• Very Dark brown (Unison Brown Earth 24)
• Light neutral gray, Unison Additional 25

For the sky and reflected color in the sea:

• Medium Ultramarine blue, Unison Blue Violet 10
• Dark Ultramarine blue, Blue Violet 12
• Light blue-gray, Unison Grey 11
• Light neutral gray, Unison Additional 25

The paper used was a 'orange' Fabriano Tiziano which echoed the warmth of the sand/shingle beach and the lichen on the rocks.