Painting Palawan

Painting Palawan was in my dreams for a long time. And when I finally was able to go and do it — IT.WAS.AMAZING!!! I spent 2 weeks in central and northern Palawan. We started out with Puerto Princesa, then Port Barton, and then to El Nido and eventually Coron. Of course, I have not forgotten to paint at each stop. Here we go!

Puerto Princesa

We arrived in Puerto Princesa on a very rainy and gloomy day. It was September so part of the rainy season here in the Philippines. It was not bad news for me. Rainy Season means fewer tourists and cheaper prices.

painting palawan philippines port barton san vicente maxima island watercolor painting Tey Sevilleno 004 — Luli Island, Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

We joined a group tour in Honda Bay. We stopped in 3 islands: Starfish Island, Luli Island for lunch and Cowrie Island.

Luli, short for “Lulubog-Lilitaw” since it comes up during low tide, is actually a huge sandbar. Our group stopped for our buffet lunch in a big cottage on stilts. On this small island, you can find a few bamboo cottages.

painting palawan philippines honda bay luli island watercolor painting sailboat Tey Sevilleno 009 — I used Winsor & Newton Designer Gouache White for the little waves, clouds, and the boat.

Before our lunch was served, I started my sketch. I liked the cottage with the fishing boat beside it. Also, I love how the sandbar curves to the cottage and the little patch of mangroves. The curve leads the eye to the subject.

painting palawan philippines starfish island honda bay puerto princesa boat — Compose your pictures well so you will have more inspiration if you decide to paint them.

I took some photo references and back home I did a sketch of this beautiful boat anchored in Starfish Island.

painting palawan philippines starfish island honda bay puerto princesa boat 008 — I love using this Kraft Paper for fast washes because of its brownish color. This is only 90gsm thick and not too absorbent so be careful with adding more water.

Port Barton

We heard a lot of good things about Port Barton so we decided to go there. Port Barton is about 2.5 to 3 hours away from Puerto Princesa.

Albaguen Island or Devil’s Island

painting palawan philippines port barton san vicente watercolor painting island hopping — The locals call this island Albaguen or the Devil’s Island.

I just fell in love with Port Barton. You know you love a place when you just got there and you are already planning for your next trip. I will share with you what I did in our island-hopping in Barton (how locals call their place).

painting palawan philippines port barton island hopping watercolor painting — First time painting on a moving boat and using saltwater with my watercolors

painting palawan philippines port barton san vicente island pearls island hopping — Saving this photo so I can go back and repaint it. Look at the color of the water!

painting palawan philippines Port Barton Devils island stilts — There were about 50 houses on stilts on this island and they dot the beachfront.

painting palawan island philippines port barton watercolor painting san vicente 007 — Why not color them happy?

painting palawan island philippines port barton watercolor painting san vicente 006 — Isla Luna | 12″ x 16″ Watercolors & Acrylics Markers by Ihvonie “Tey” Sevilleno 2018

Maxima and Exotic Island

While the boat’s staff is preparing our grilled lunch and mixed veggies, I wanted to capture Exotic Island across from Maxima Island where I am. I also wanted to do a painting with a parked boat.

Not my first time painting with an island opposite where I am but still, not all landscapes are the same. You still have to look for the best angle for your subject.

Tips for Plein-air or open-air painting:

Bring painting essentials only and keep your art materials to a minimum so you will not a hard time carrying and packing it back.
Bring your own water. Or you can use seawater. Part of the memories!
Choose your angle and spot where it would be comfortable for you. I am in luck in finding a small nipa cottage to shield me from too much sun.
Keep watch of the variables you can’t control (sand, heat, wind, rain, etc).
Paint as fast as you can. The boat might leave without you!
Enjoy the process!

I ended my Port Barton painting spree with a sunset painting from White Beach Beach Resort.

painting palawan philippines port barton san vicente sunset white beach resort — When starting to paint a scene, first find your subject. You get lucky sometimes. For this moment is picture-perfect.

painting palawan philippines sunsets watercolor painting port barton san vicente white beach resort 002 — Prepare and mix your colors then paint from top to bottom.

El Nido

Corong-Corong

We arrived in El Nido on a bright sunny day. I travel with my #fatgoddessdoll and I take pictures of her when I feel like it.

Watercolor Painting by Ihvonie “Tey” Sevilleno of Corong-Corong, El Nido, Palawan 2018

While we are waiting for our beds in this hostel, I finished my painting of the sunset of Port Barton and started this one from this view.

painting palawan philippines watercolor painting Tey Sevilleno el nido — Dropping some water to my painting from the waterbrush — a very useful and convenient tool when you are out painting.

Big Lagoon

When we did our group tour in the islands of El Nido, we went to the Big Lagoon. We were all excited to experience the famous lagoons. Our boat went to the Big Lagoon. Our tour guide is kind enough to let me stay in front of the boat to paint this big rock formation in the middle of the Big Lagoon.

painting palawan philippines El Nido Big Lagoon 007 — I used some water from the lagoon. They say the water here is a combination of fresh and saltwater.

painting palawan philippines el nido big lagoon watercolor painting — Our tour boat is anchored in front of this rock formation inside the Big Lagoon so naturally, I chose this as the subject of my painting.

painting palawan philippines El Nido Big Lagoon 005 — 20 minutes finished! So I had time to snorkel in the Big Lagoon.

Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach is quite far from El Nido town proper and we had to take a shuttle van going there. It was about 45 minutes away from the town proper. I was not up for a bumpy, slimy ride.

painting palawan philippines el nido nacpan beach sailboats watercolor painting 003 — A special gift for my friend Robin who showed us around El Nido

Lio Beach

For the time we stayed in El Nido, I had gone to Lio Beach 3 times. I love how relaxed I feel when I am there.

painting palawan philippines el nido lio beach watercolor painting 005 — A study sketch is a practice sketch for color combinations and form

Tip in subject hunting: When you arrive in a location, go around the place and take some photos. You can also bring a rectangle cutout to frame your composition. Scouting around the area will help you be more observant.