How to Paint an Ocean

Ocean on a stormy day.

No matter what type of paint you are using to paint an ocean, the steps are the same. This article will explain steps using acrylic paint.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Canvas or other painting surface you choose
• Acrylic paint: blue, white, green, and any other colors you choose
• Paint brushes of your choice. A pack of inexpensive, assorted, disposable brushes is best.
• A palette, or paper plate

1. Before you begin, you will need an artists license. Anyone who wants to be an artist, or who wants to do any artwork, needs one. This is merely permission from yourself to do what you think is art. Anything created by your hands can be classified as art. Now that you have your license, you can paint an ocean.

2. If you have not painted before, perhaps you want to practice on something you can dispose of once you have tried this a few times. Inexpensive canvas notebooks are available in stores such as Kmart, Walmart, or Family Dollar. Once you have decided what you will paint on, move to the next step.

3. 

   Open all the paints you have selected. Choose a paint brush that looks of interest to you. It does not matter which one, as you will learn what works in your hand, and what doesn't. Try mixing some blues with white paint on whatever you are using as a palette to get a feel for the color possibilities. Don't forget to add some green to some of the blues, and mix with white. While doing this, picture shades of colors you have seen while at a beach. The shades ranges from white, through beige, blues, and greens. Depending on the weather, you may have seen more colors. Your artist's license gives you the right to paint the colors you know you saw the last time you were at the ocean. You don't have to paint an ocean just in shades of blue. How boring would that be?

4. Pick one shade of darker blue, and paint the entire area this base color. Use the brush from left to right, right to left, following an imaginary horizon.

5. The ocean is not perfect.

   Select a lighter shade that you have created, or one straight from the tube, and spread on your palette. Apply this shade from the center of your work toward the right of your practice piece. Repeat this until the right side is covered, then use the same steps on the left of your work, being careful not to have strokes be the same size. Use 3-4 different size strokes, and notice how it begins to look like salt water. The ocean is not perfect, so you don't want your strokes to be either. Are you starting to feel it?

6. Blend some blue and white, and place similar strokes over the completed work. Continue the steps you used above until you can 'see' it! The ocean is there. You should know, you put it there!

7. Paint an ocean here!

   Prepare to teach! Those around may want to paint the ocean also. Perhaps You can tape some of your canvas pieces to a wall, and let others have a go at this.

Tips & Warnings

• Having your Artist's License, you can redo this several times until you think you have the idea.

• If anyone criticizes you, your license gives you the authority to hand them the paint brush, and require them to show you what they can do.

• Painting can be addictive, and contagious.

• Family members may try to imitate your behavior, and this habit could spread through the entire household.

Resources

• Find art supplies for less