When I started painting seascapes sky reflections on the ocean and foam trails seemed the most difficult. There are several things that come into play both making them hard for beginners and easier with practice and knowledge.
With practice comes improvement but personally I place equal emphasis on understanding subject matter, perspective and again - yes... tonal values and how they interact with each other.
The ocean and waves have monumental volume, power and momentum. Their physical structure and how they operate is not only fascinating but necessary to know and understand to paint them realistically.
Sky reflections are simply that - sky tones on the water surface. It a known fact shadows are not one flat colour - as reflections aren't either. These tonal value changes must be carefully considered and incorporated within seascape paintings to create realism.
Many in my opinion go wrong as they think the flat surface of the ocean in between waves or ripples are in shadow when in fact the flat water surface is reflecting sky light. Shadows occur on the water surface moving into troughs away from sunlight, while the other side of waves or ripples - towards sunlight are reflecting plus in certain areas refracting light as well.
Tonal values need to change accordingly to represent reflections in full sunlight - to partial light and shadowing positioned the further away from light - moving into light.
These tonal variations and principles are also applied to foam trails. Consider whether foam trails are in shadow or direct sunlight as you paint and shape them in the direction of water current.
Hope this helps.
I have fully Instructional Acrylic Wave Seascape Tutorial available to purchase from my website.
I offer online zoom private painting lessons and onsite classes in oils and acrylic.
Check out my new Coastal Oil Series recently released while you're there.
julessharmanar...
Kind Regards,
Jules.
6 окт 2024
