Capturing the serene beauty of a Stunning Ocean Waves at Sunset in Watercolor is a rewarding experience for any artist.
In this tutorial, we’ll journey through the process of painting a vibrant seascape, where the warm glow of the setting sun meets the gentle waves and rocky shore.
Hopefully, this step-by-step guide will help you bring a peaceful sunset scene to life on your watercolor paper.
Materials
I’m using several pigments:
- Jaune brilliant no 01,
- Jaune brilliant no 02
- Shell Pink
- Lavender
- Verditer Blue
- Verimillion
- Violet
- Opera
- Cobalt Blue
- Prussian Blue
- Cadmium Orange
- Light Red
- Ultramarine Blue
Watercolor Paper: Arches Rough 300gsm
Watercolor Paints: Holbein
Brush: Chinese calligraphy brush
How to Paint Waves and Sunset with Watercolors
1. Sketch and Apply Masking Fluid
In the initial stage, begin with a light pencil sketch to outline the main elements: the waves, rocks, and horizon line.
Once the sketch is complete, apply masking fluid to preserve the brightest areas, such as the highlights on the waves and the reflection of the sun.
This masking will keep these areas bright and allow you to paint freely without worrying about losing the light.
Paint the Background Sky
To paint the sunset sky, wet this area of the paper with clear water. This technique called the wet-on-wet technique, will allow the colors to blend smoothly.
Begin by applying a wash of light yellow (Jaune brilliant no 01) around the sun area. This represents the brightest part of the sky where the sun is setting.
As you move upwards and outwards from the sun, gradually shift to orange tones (Jaune Brilliant no 02, Vermillion), then Shell pink, and finally purple tones (a Mixture of Lavender+ Violet+Verditer Blue) at the top of the sky.
The transition from Yellow tones to violet tones will create a glowing sunset effect.
Set the First Wash of the Foreground
I applied the first wash to the foreground by using a mix of Naples Yellow and Jaune Brilliant No. 01
Paint the Waves in the Middle Ground
Now, it’s time to bring the ocean to life. Begin with a light wash of Orange shade (Opera + Jaune Brilliant No. 01 and purple shade (Opera + Cobalt Blue), capturing the movement of the waves as they roll in.
Work in layers, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.
Adding Depth to the Waves
In the second layer, deepen the colors by adding more dark blues (Violet + Ultramarine Blue + Prussian Blue), focusing on the areas that need extra contrast.
This additional layer will create a stronger sense of depth and volume in the waves, allowing them to stand out against the sky.
This will give the waves a sense of depth and movement.
Remove the Masking Fluid
In this stage, I carefully remove the masking fluid with my fingers or an eraser. This step reveals the areas that should remain bright, such as the waves, the sea, and the sun.
Paint Rocks in the Foreground
For rocks in the foreground, use darker tones like warm browns and brown grays.
Paint large shapes first with Cadmium Orange, then gradually add shadows ( Cadmium Orange+ light Red + Blue tones such as Colban Blue or Ultramarine Blue ) to create dimension.
Use yellow tones to simulate the warm glow of the sunset reflecting off the rocks.
This will help the rocks blend harmoniously into the rest of the composition.
Add Details to the Water in the Foreground
I added smaller details to the water in the foreground, including ripples and reflections from the setting sun. This step creates a seamless transition between foreground, midground, and foreground.
Final Touches of Stunning Ocean Waves at Sunset in Watercolor
Refine any details that need more depth or contrast, especially in the waves and reflections. Besides, smooth out any areas that need softer transitions to make the scene feel complete and vibrant.
Finished Artwork
Finally, This Stunning Ocean Waves at Sunset in Watercolor painting brings together a range of watercolor techniques, from wet-on-wet blending in the sky to dry brushing for wave texture.
Allow each layer to dry fully before moving on to ensure clean, vibrant colors.
With patient practice, I hope you’ll be able to capture the serene beauty of a sunset at the beach in your watercolor paintings.