How to Paint Waves in Oil

Complexity of color is one of the things that makes wave painting interesting.

Greens, blues, whites and even browns all make an appearance in the color of waves. The depth of color and strength of movement have long drawn artists to paint waves. Oils are an excellent medium for waves, as the layers of color can add up to a realistic representation of waves. The key to painting waves is to break it down into steps. By themselves the steps may not seem to work, however, added up, they become beautiful and strong.

Things You'll Need

• Canvas
• Paint
• Palette
• Assorted brushes
• Palette knife
• Thinner

Instructions

1. Picture the wave. Look closely at the various shapes that make up the wave. Observe the different colors and the shading. Use a liner brush and a light color to sketch the outline of the painting on the canvas.

2. Add color to the main area of interest of the painting. For waves, the darkest color is at the lower part of the wave, and it blends into lighter colors as it rises. Paint bands of the three colors of the waves, with dark at the bottom, light in the middle and lighter on the top. Do not worry if it does not look like a wave at this point. It is not finished, so it is not going to look like a wave yet.

3. Mix the middle color and the top color with a bit of white using the palette knife. With a flat brush, gently stroke a thin band of color at the top of the wave. This is where the wave is thin and translucent, so go slowly here, and add colors in the thinnest layers.

4. Add a bit of the bottom color into the mix. Use this mixture to add depth and blend the middle band of the wave, again using a flat brush. Blend the layers together, paying close attention to the overall look.

5. Add a dab of gray to the bottom color and mix well. Use this color sparingly, as it can quickly muddy the water. If the water gets too dominated by the gray, add a hint of white.

6. Use a clean, dry brush and blend the bands together, starting at the bottom and working up. This is the wave without the foam crest.

7. Paint the crest in white. Use shades of blue and gray to shadow the foam of the wave, until the overall look is achieved.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the paint to dry faster, use a little thinner when mixing it on the palette. Remember that oil paints take longer to dry than acrylic or water paints.

References

• Art Graphica: Paint an Ocean Wave

Resources

• Oil Painting for Dummies; Anita Giddings; 2008;