The sea coast is a traditional subject in painting. Working with watercolors allows for many beautiful effects. Use washed, layered and blended watercolors to create a realistic or more expressionistic versions of the sea. Use a photo as a source or create an original composition. Follow these watercolor techniques to paint an illusion of the sea.
Instructions
1. Draw a horizon line lightly in pencil across the center of the paper. Treat the top half as sky and the lower half as sea.
2. Create a sky using diluted color, that is nearly transparent by using a large, flat brush. Be creative with dark stormy colors or a golden sunset. Use sweeping strokes that cover the entire width of the paper.
3. Choose a color for the sea. Wash the color in a horizontal direction across the paper. Scallop the edge in wave patterns. Wash a lighter tone of the color closer to the horizon line.
4. Wash in several more bands of color for the sea. Each one should be slightly darker than the previous. Then lighten the top edge of each band slightly by applying water to the paint.
5. Add detail to the waves such as white foam at the crest of each wave. Apply white paint with a smaller brush in a rough or textured manner. Paint thin, dark stripes in wave patterns randomly throughout the lowest band.
6. Use a sponge to apply additional colors in the sky such as grays and whites for clouds. Dip a wet sponge in the water color and dab into the sky area of your painting to create the effect of clouds.
7. Apply a sand color to the very bottom of the painting beneath the waves if there is any room left. Create the coastline in this way. Add any details like shells or rocks.
