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.
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January 8, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Great tips. Thanks for sharing, Eileen!
January 8, 2017 at 8:31 pm
You are welcome Carol 😀
January 8, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Waves are always tricky. Good practical tips!
January 8, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Thanks Brett
January 9, 2017 at 12:45 pm
Thanks for the tips and links. Look forward to checking out!!
January 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm
You are welcome 😀
January 9, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Thanks for sharing your learnings Eileen 👍🏼
January 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm
You are welcome Snehal 😀
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February 23, 2017 at 2:35 am
Those look wonderful!
February 23, 2017 at 8:07 am
Thank you so much!
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June 8, 2017 at 2:16 am
Thank you for visiting!
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July 26, 2017 at 11:39 pm
Thanks. It motivates me to start painting again
July 27, 2017 at 8:12 am
That’s great! Let me know how it goes 😀
September 29, 2017 at 4:42 am
I’m inspired to paint again, thanks to you!
September 29, 2017 at 11:02 pm
That is wonderful to hear! I would love to see what you create!
September 29, 2017 at 4:42 am
I’m inspired to paint again, thanks to you!
May 21, 2019 at 11:36 pm
Thanks for your help I really enjoyed your tutorial!
May 22, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Thanks so much Emma! That’s so great to hear 😊