Started a painting!

Today I wanted to have a go at painting and layers because I haven't really explored this area much in the first semester. Sticking with the idea of using language in my artwork, I am using the quote 'The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring' and creating a painting in relation to it.
I was thinking of creating a painting of a beach highlighting that we can admire this without desiring to go there!

First I gave the canvas a thin layer of 'mat white' to provide protection against the acrylic paint.

After applying the thin layer of mat, I went over with a thicker layer and ripped small pieces of paper and placed them on top of the paint and let it dry.

When the paint was fully dry I pulled the bits of paper off but leaving the bits that were stuck to the paint. This gave the canvas a second layer before starting to paint the landscape.

On the beach there is sand so I thought it would be interesting to use 'all purpose filler' to create the bumpy and gristly effect. 

I found it hard to apply the blue paint but fade it to the white background. I had a few attempts and  then used dry brush and went from left to right allowing the colors to blend.  

This is the area where i have blended the white and blue colour.