Atmospheric Beach Landscapes for Beginner
Welcome to Atmospheric Beach Landscapes for Beginners: Watercolour Basics
In this course, we'll be painting a beach landscape from Victoria, Melbourne. Beach landscapes are simple and beautiful, providing the perfect subject for a beginner watercolour artist. Capturing an impression of a beach landscape in a quick, fun and loose manner is an essential skill that every artist should learn to master. Watercolour is the perfect medium that allows you to produce spontaneous and expressive paintings on the go.
Planning is crucial. I'll show you how to simplify shapes and sketch in large shapes such as sky, water and land. Getting those large components in accurately beforehand is essential for your painting to make sense.
In this course you'll learn:
- How to paint simple paintings of any beach landscape in watercolour
- How to sketch and plan your beach landscape painting in pencil before you start painting
- How and when to use wet-in-wet watercolour techniques to paint clouds, skies, water and sand
- How to paint basic trees and rocks with minimal effort and brushstrokes
- How to add people into your landscape in a natural and simple way
- How to paint water using a variety of essential techniques
- How to layer effectively to add extra details
- How to combine layers to create depth naturally
- How to paint simple shadows and identify or choose a light source in your painting
So join me in this course! You'll see just how easy it is to create a beautiful beach landscape painting in no time at all.
Course Materials and scans are found under the 'Materials' lecture.
Assignment:
Your course project is to draw and paint your own beach landscape! This can be a scene featured in this course or based on one of your own photographs or scenes you have observed outside.
You can also refer to the scanned drawing/painting templates attached below which will allow you to trace the drawing if you choose to do so. I recommend drawing each scene freehand. Drawing is an important step in improving your painting skills. This provides you with an opportunity to compose and plan your painting. Once you've finished the drawing, use the watercolour steps and processes included in the course demonstrations to complete your painting.
Materials:
Use any watercolour paints, pencil watercolour paper, and brushes you have available. I recommend:
0.5mm mechanical pencil
Artist-grade watercolour paints - blue, yellow and red
100% cotton watercolour paper or sketchbook
Watercolour Brushes - mop brush and a variety of round brushes for detailing.
Getting Started:
Review the course demonstration videos first. You can also download the tracing templates to transfer over your drawing if you wish.
Looking to sketch and paint another scene? Research some free reference photo websites, pick one of your own reference photos, or simply find an outdoor location where you can sit and paint. Using the steps and processes included in this course, create your own unique urban sketch.
Sharing Your Work:
Share your final painting and progress shots with the course by uploading them to www.facebook.com/groups/watercolourmentor. If you have any questions or need more tips, please let me know. I'm happy to help.