LANDSCAPES IN DETAIL
HOW TO
PAINT...
REALISTIC WATER
1
A simple lake should begin as a
graduated wash. Usually the water
will appear darker the closer that it is
to you and the colour will vary to
reflect the sky and surrounding
landscape. I used a mix of Winsor
Blue (Green Shade) and French
Ultramarine for this.2
While the original lake wash was
wet, I dropped in short strokes
of stronger, darker colour to suggest
the swell.3
After allowing the wash to dry,
I lifted out a few light reflections
using the edge of a damp brush,
cleaning the brush after each stroke.4
To finish, I added a few flow lines
both with a strong, dark blue
watercolour mix and also Permanent
White gouache.MAKE A TRIPOD EASEL
A camera tripod makes an ideal travel
easel, being lightweight, compact and
adjustable. If you have one fitted with
a quick-release tripod plate then it
can be converted very simply.
Cut a block of wood roughly 12cm
square and screw the tripod plate to
one side of it. On the other side, stick
three or four strips of the hook side of
Velcro tape and secure with staples.
On the back of any lightweight
painting board up to half-sheet size
stick three 12cm strips of the loop
side of the Velcro. The painting board
will securely stick to the mount and
can be adjusted to any angle.Perspective can help to ensure your water
remains flat. Waves will tend be parallel to
theshoreandalthoughtheshoremaynotbe
perfectlystraight,simplifyit inyourmindso
thatoneormorevanishingpointswillcome
intoplay.
Thefarshoreofa largelakecanbe
consideredasthehorizonandlocationofthe
vanishingpoints(althoughtechnicallythe
horizonwillactuallybemarginallyhigher).
Theseperspectivelinesshouldnotbeslavishly
followedbutinsteadusethemtoguidethe
placementofyourwavesandripples.PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE WHY DRAWING LINES LEADS TO FLAT WATERS
Eye level/horizon