How to Draw Waves
Waves are an important part of any beach or shoreline, as they are constantly in motion. Because of their ever moving nature, drawing a wave is greatly different from drawing a static object that is made up of several straight lines. Follow these quick and easy steps to learn how to draw the dynamic qualities of a wave. You'll be successfully drawing a wave in no time at all!
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Instructions
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1
Draw the basic shape of the wave. Sketch several arching parallel lines. Draw a curved line in front of the area. Next, draw a straight line to create the base of the wave.
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2
Sketch in a line close to the lower parallel line. This line will define the thickness of the wave’s leading edge.
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3
Draw a curved line to form a half oval, starting just behind the lowest parallel line. From the leading edge of the wave, arc it down to the base. This flow (or curl line) defines the curvature of the wave face.
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4
Add more flow lines. The lines in and near the curl will curve almost as much as the curl line itself. As you get further away, curve each 'flow line' less and less, in order to show these waves are not as steep.
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5
Make thin, wispy lines at the top edge of the wave to indicate there is spray.
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6
Draw a series of shapes, with short curling lines, within the single curved line drawn in Step 1. Make each line taller that the other, moving away from the wave. You can also add foam to the waves.
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7
Draw fainter contour lines parallel to the flow lines in Step 4. Add shading on the wave face. Make the lines gradually darker as you get closer and further into the wave tube. Adding light lines, which cross the curl flow lines, creates depth.
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8
Add some light shading to the foam, base and spray. You can also add shading for the sky. Use light, shaded lines to sketch in scattered spray that has moved away from the wave. Make sure the spray appears to come from the wave. It must be in line with where additional spray is coming from.
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