Paint the Sea
The sea may be one of the most difficult subjects to paint. It is ever-changing and moving and is composed of numerous colors. You can paint the sea while sitting on a beach or a deck looking at it, or you can paint from photographs. You can use any type of paint medium and technique, since the sea has been painted in every artistic genre and category possible.
Instructions
1. Decide what form you want to paint the ocean in. Large waves or small waves? An overcast day or a sunny day? Calm seas or rough seas? It is important to study the water before you begin to paint, as you will most likely be using numerous color shades and will want to study the different depths of color, from the foam on the waves to the horizon line. It may help to lightly pencil in what you are planning to draw.
2. Decide what medium you want to use, whether it is oil paints, watercolors or acrylics. For the ocean, watercolors or oils are great because they provide the ability to layer and blend together. Lay out the colors you may need, including dark blue, minty green, turquoise, gold, orange, violet, red, silver, dark green, brown and black.
3. Complete a solid backdrop for your sea painting. This may be clouds, sky, ships, a forest or birds. Since the ocean has so much texture, it may be best for your backdrop to be flat. You can depict a sunrise or sunset, or a perfectly blue sky with minimal colors. Keep in mind that different weather elements affect the ocean's color.
4. Paint the sea by layering the darker colors first. Make sure to not neglect the light, by adding silver, white gold and light green to the tips of the waves or an angle on the water's surface. The base of a wave is darker, while the top is lighter. Select a certain direction for the wave movement, and stick with it. Paint the water at an angle to show movement, or facing you to show more color depth.
5. Look over your painting regularly by stepping back and picking out what needs to be improved. Regular editing and critiquing is an important aspect of painting.
