Watercolour step by step

Step by step guide to paint the Evening paddle painting.

I have developed below a simple step-by-step demonstration based on my painting shown in the watercolour section of this web page. These are free and you may print them off if you wish.

I suggest you read all the instructions before attempting the watercolour painting to familiarise yourself with each instruction, because watercolour painting is all about timing :).

Click on the image for enlarged picture.

Good luck with your painting and I hope these inspire you.

Colour suggestions

Suggested colours

To produce this watercolour painting I have used the following colours: - Prussian blue, Rose Madder or Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt blue and Gamboge

Other materials used.

Other materials

To enable the artist to retain the white of the paper, we use the method of masking out. I used a ruling pen and masking fluid (See Image) to mask out the seagulls and also the sun light hitting the sea and the crust of the waves. (See image). A Brush can be used to apply the masking fluid but wash out straight away because it ruins the brush if left to dry.

Step 2 - masking out details

Step 2

Draw the positions of the seagulls, waves and highlighted areas, then using the ruling pen mask out these areas (See image) Don’t worry about the seagulls legs because they are darker than the background colour. Once the masking fluid is dry we can then progress onto the next step.

Step 3 cont - sky

Step 3 cont.

While the yellow is wet add the Rose madder and blend in the Cobalt blue to create purples tones. Use the purple mix across the sky adding more blue towards the top of the paper. Then while the paper is still damp mix a of Cobalt blue, Rose madder and a touch of Gamboge to produce a warm grey so add in some clouds.

Step 5 - distant land

Step 5

Next when the sea is dry we are going to add the distant land, this is a mixer of Cobalt blue, Rose madder and a touch of Prussian blue, don’t forget when the land goes towards the sun the colour of the land is warmer and lighter (See image). You could use this colour also to the foreground sand

Step 6 cont - painting the flying seagulls

Step 6 cont.

Once all the masking is lifted we can now look at painting the seagulls. Use the purple mix that you produced for the land, paint the seagulls on the left as they are in the cooler area of the painting. The larger seagull is painted using the same mix but slightly warmer using more Rose Madder to the mix. (See image)

Brush suggestions

Brushes used

To produce this watercolour painting I used the following watercolour brushes: Large flat brush, a large round brush, small detail brush and a small flat brush.

Step 1 -sketch & wetting the paper

Step 1

Start by drawing a horizon line just below the middle of the paper (see image) then lightly sketch out the seascape.

Step 3 - sky

Step 3

With the large flat brush wet the paper down to the horizon line. Look at your paper from the side and you will see how it is shiny, wait until the shine goes dull before adding the first colour Gamboge with the large round brush. Place the gamboge around the sun area leaving the middle of the sun white.

Step 4 - sea

Step 4

When the sky is dry we can look at the sea and sand of the painting. Using the colours that you used in the sky we are going to paint the sea like a mirror of the sky. Start at the eye line and work down making sure that the colours are warmer around the sun reflections. (See image)

Step 6 - removing masking fluid

Step 6

Once all the watercolour as dried you can carefully rub off the masking fluid to reveal the highlights on the waves and also the seagulls. Take care not to rip the watercolour paper

Step 7 - painting the waves

Step 7

Leaving the gulls to dry, we are now going to form some waves using the small flat brush and a Cobalt blue. Following the curve of the sea paint in the waves starting small and close together towards the eye line then the more you come forward to foreground make the waves bigger and wider (See image).

Step 8 - painting the paddling seagulls and details

Step 8

The paddling gulls are produced by using the same colour of the clouds: - Cobalt blue, Rose madder and Gamboge, for the gulls wings and a slight wash of Prussian blue for their body. The Purple mix can be used to complete the gull’s shadows.

Step 9 -finished painting

Step 9

Finishing the painting you can add more details, for example – pebbles etc. Once you have completed all stages, stand back and enjoy your lovely painting. Hope you have enjoyed?