Sea & Sky in Acrylics

Techniques & Inspiration

Dave White

• Publisher: Search Press
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781781264232
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art général

A pro shares his techniques for painting stunning seascapes, with three step-by-step projects included. Painting teacher Dave White introduces the simple but effective techniques that he uses to paint stunning, dramatic seascapes with beautiful and realistic skies. He demonstrates spattering, blending backgrounds, painting horizons, finger painting clouds and foam. There is expert advice on the anatomy of waves and how they rise and collapse, creating ripples, surf, foam, and spray. In addition, clear instructions show how to paint effective reflections and beaches to improve your seascapes. The sky section shows effective techniques for painting all types of cloud, with some innovative methods such as tipping up the surface to let dilute paint run, to create cirrus clouds. Dave's method of creating depth in sea, beach, and sky using lines projected from the vanishing point can radically improve your seascapes. You'll also find a section on moods and sunsets, full of beautiful, dramatic examples. Finally, three step-by-step projects show how to paint a beach panorama with a rolling wave, a spectacular sunset over a calm sea, and waves crashing on rocks.

PROJECTS

Hengistbury

51 x 40.5cm (20 x 16in)

This is the final version of ‘The Sky Will Be Darkened’ on pages 6–7. I was playing golf when this squall came in. As the other golfers scampered to the clubhouse for cover, I went home to capture what I had seen. This fi nal version is nearer the mark.

Beachcomber

Most people have happy memories of beaches they have visited. This project focuses on features that many beaches have in common: sand, stones, a crashing wave with foam and spray, surf at the water’s edge, foam patterns in the rising wave and darker water near the horizon. I have even added sailing boats in the distance, which are a familiar sight at the beach that inspired me. Getting to grips with painting these elements should enable you to apply the principles to painting your own favourite beach scene.

The finished painting.

Tip

I used Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylic for this painting, but you can use your own favourite range.

MATERIALS

Box canvas, 91.3 x 35.5cm (36 x 14in)

Colours: titanium white, ultramarine, cadmium red deep, cadmium red light, lemon yellow, yellow ochre, cadmium orange, burnt umber, Hooker’s green

Synthetic watercolour brushes: 5cm (2in) flat, 6mm (Win) round, 13mm (Víin) flat, rigger and 6mm (Win) flat

Acrylic bristle brushes: 13mm (Win) flat

Palette knife

Paper tissue

Chalk

Tip

For most of my painting, I use synthetic hair watercolour brushes rather than those made for acrylics. The bristles of acrylic brushes tend to etch and score into a coat of paint, often revealing the dried coat or even the colour of the support underneath. They don’t hold as much water as a watercolour hair brush and so getting an even application of paint over a long brushstroke can be difficult. I keep acrylic brushes for heavy body paint or for spattering.

1 Start with titanium white mixed with ultramarine, making sure you mix more than you need, then add four brushfuls of water. Paint the whole canvas, including the edges, with a 5cm (2in) flat watercolour brush. When the whole canvas is covered, leave to dry for fifteen minutes.

2 The coverage of this first coat will not be perfect, and there may be a gap in the paint where it rests on the easel, so turn the canvas the other way up before continuing. Apply a second coat with a slightly darker mix. This should go on more smoothly thanks to the underpainting. Start at the left-hand side and begin to sweep the brush across horizontally.

3 Step across the canvas, moving your whole body rather than just your arm. I endeavour to lock my arm and elbow and then move from side to side so that I get an even brushstroke across the canvas and avoid a ‘windscreen wiper’ effect. Take the brush right off the edge of the canvas and paint the edges too.

4 Add more white ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• Introduction
• Materials
• Colour and opacity
• Techniques
• Sea
• Sky
• Projects
• Index
• Backcover