Painting a Coastal Landscape with Boats and Buildings
Welcome to Painting a Coastal Landscape with Boats and Buildings.
In this course, we'll be painting a coastal landscape with various elements including boats, buildings and people. Being able to capture an impression of a 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. In this course, you'll learn to simplify details and choose what elements are most important for you to portray.
Drawing is an important part of the painting process, and we will go through an easy way to break down complex objects into simple shapes. I'll show you how to recognise shapes and estimate and pencil in large shapes such as sky, water and land. Getting those large components in accurately is essential for your painting to make sense.
In this course you'll learn:
- How to paint simple paintings of a coastal landscape in watercolour
- How to sketch and plan your coastal landscape painting in pencil before you start painting
- How and when to use wet-in-wet watercolour techniques to paint skies, water, buildings, boats and sand
- How to paint with minimal effort using efficient brushstrokes
- How to add people into your landscapes 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 coastal landscape painting in no time at all.
Assignment:
Your course project is to draw and paint your own coastal 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.