Clouds | Sturdevant Gallery

Small Beach by Mike Rooney

Painting a beach scene is not difficult, but where do you start? Follow these instructions step by step and get a fantastic image of your favorite beach.

Determine where you want the water and the sky to meet and sketch in the horizon. Next, determine if there will be boats, islands or land visible in the painting and drawing them in as well.

Start by painting in the sky and clouds. With the white, paint in the sky all the way to your horizon line. Now, take your blue from the top of the canvas and mix down. This will create a sky that is darker at the top and fade to white when he reached the water or horizon. This is a nice effect. You will probably paint over the reference line you drew in. This is just fine because the line was there only for reference. If you are using acrylic paint, allow the paint to dry before painting the clouds. If you use watercolor or oil, go ahead and start the clouds with the damp canvas.

Now, with the white and maybe a touch of blue or crimson, add the first layer of clouds in a circular motion. Keep the upper clouds distinct but let the bottoms blend into the horizon. Add a second layer of white clouds. Again use the circular motion and keep the tops of the clouds distinct and allow the bottom to blend in. Make sure you don’t cover up all the clouds in the background.

The next step is to paint in the sand or the beach with ocher or raw sienna. Do not overmix. Changes in color variations keeps your painting interesting. You can use a toothbrush or a stiff brush to add color to make small stones and pebbles. Extend the sand color to where the water will go. You’ll paint the color of water on top of the sand so it will appear realistic like a coastline.

Now you will paint in the water starting at the horizon line with blue. Use even horizontal strokes and pull the blue forward to meet the sand. As you end your strokes, you might want to be a little uneven to create a motion effect. Use your blue and green for water and maybe some burnt sienna where you want the water appear darker. Leave a few streaks of white to look like waves. Add shadows under and on one side of things if there are boats or docks in your painting. This will create a shadow effect. If you have not already done so, pull water in the sand using white. Be sure to keep the lines horizontal.

Now it is time to add houses and distant land. Use a pale blue-green mixture. Darken the mixture and add some shrubs or trees in front of it. The further away the land, the less detail. If the light comes from the left, the right side of the buildings and roofs are darker because they are in the shade. Add a little yellow and orange for lights in the windows. Add birds, seagulls, sea grass or people on the beach, and remember to sign your painting!

Julie Shoemaker is an avid painter and hobbyist who regularly gives paintings as gifts to family and friends. To read more articles like the one here, and to see more free art tips, tricks and techniques and free step by step lessons Learn Painting Techniques or visit http://www.IamPainting.org

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