Tips for painting waves in watercolor:
- Determine what direction the light is coming from
- Create the waves with dark and light areas.
- Where is the detail in the painting? And therefore where is the eye drawn to? Contrasts also draw the eye.
- Keep slivers of white (the paper) which suggests waves in the distance. Add dark areas in front of these.
- Blotting with a tissue can create the spray of a wave
- Dark edges makes the foam look thicker
- Wet sand has blue in it
- Horizontal strokes in your painting make things look flatter – use a flat brush
- Use other colors in the sky, not just blue
- There is a reflection in things that are wet and shiny – like wet sand
- The position of the horizon line effects the vantage point of the painting (where you are standing on the beach)
- The water is greener closer to the shore
- Colors in a painting – use the same colors throughout your whole painting
- Use white gouache to add foam areas, spray, waves in the distance, etc.
I share my process in the pdf “Waterscape Seascape Painting Tutorial,” which you can download in my Etsy shop.
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Great tips. Thanks for sharing, Eileen!
You are welcome Carol 😀
Waves are always tricky. Good practical tips!
Thanks Brett
Thanks for the tips and links. Look forward to checking out!!
You are welcome 😀
Thanks for sharing your learnings Eileen 👍🏼
You are welcome Snehal 😀
Those look wonderful!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for visiting!
Thanks. It motivates me to start painting again
That’s great! Let me know how it goes 😀
I’m inspired to paint again, thanks to you!
That is wonderful to hear! I would love to see what you create!
I’m inspired to paint again, thanks to you!
Thanks for your help I really enjoyed your tutorial!
Thanks so much Emma! That’s so great to hear 😊