Paint a beautiful wave in 5 easy steps:

1: Find the Value

2: Brushes and Color Palette

3: The Anatomy of a Wave

4: Start from the Darks

5: Move to Light

6: Highlights

1: Find the Value

As you all know by now, I love the ocean and water, and you probably do too. But waves look so complicated and have so many layers that it could confuse you.

My solution to this problem is breaking the value of the painting from dark to light.

Value is how dark and light an object is; it’s the foundation of a realistic painting.

The simplest way to find value is to turn your reference photo to black and white using your editing tool on your phone.

Once you turn your photo into black and white, you can find where the darks are and where the whites are.

You can start with an underpainting/monochromatic painting or directly paint colors on canvas. With this painting, I chose to use the direct painting method.

2: The Anatomy of a Wave

A wave has a crest, which is the top of the wave, a trough, which is the lowest point between two waves, and inside the wave is the orbit. 

The further away the wave is from the shore, the orbit will go from elliptical to round. 

The top of the wave is obviously the lightest part of the wave, with foams and splashes. 

The trough is always the darker part of the wave. 

I have found that the parts of the wave under the fold are usually the darker parts as well. See the my another wave painting  with arrows pointing.

3: Brushes and Color Palette

I used a big bright brush to lay down the big shapes and then gradually moved to a smaller brush. 

A fan brush is great for painting splashes and foams. I love fan brushes as it can be used in many other ways. It’s a tool you must have in your brush sets, either you use acrylics or oil.

For example, when you paint portrait, you can use fan brush to smooth out the skin color. 

When you paint trees, fan brush can create little leaves. Beloved artist icon Bob Ross used a lot of fan brush strokes in his paintings. 

This is a good set of fan brush that I found on amazon, feel free to check them out. 

https://amzn.to/47femDb

(disclaimer, if you choose to purchase through my link, I will get a very small commission with no extra cost at your end to support this blog).

My color palette: I used Titanium White, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Orange, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue. You can substitute any of these colors to suite your photo reference. 

4: Start from the Darks

You want to start with the dark shape. 

Even though water seems to have less distinguished value than other objects, you can still separate them. 

A simple trick is to squint your eyes and see the big shapes and groups of colors. 

 In this painting, I used deeper blues to represent the darks and light blues, yellows, oranges to make the lighter shapes.

5: Now you can move on to the lighter part.

The lighter part of the wave depends on the time of the day and will reflect different colors. For example, if your wave is in the golden hour, the lighter part of the wave will be reds and oranges. If your wave is in bright daylight, the lighter parts of color will be crispy white. 

See the two paintings I did side by side in comparison—

“Thy is the Kingdom” is set in the golden hours. And “A Good Day” is in the bright Caribbean day light.

A Good Day, Acrylics on canvas, 2023

6: The Highlights

The highlights are the foams and splashes on the crest of the wave and around the area where the wave crashes down to the water. I used a fan brush, dipped in titanium white, and dabbed it on the canvas. This way you can create thick, textured dots with an almost 3D effect.

Hope this “How to paint wave in 5 easy steps” is helpful. I believe with some practice and patience, you will be able to paint a beautiful ocean wave painting as well! I would appreciate you comment or share this post.

To learn more about brush strokes read this blog: https://yingmclane.com/mastering-the-art-of-oil-painting-brush-strokes/

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I paint a lot and I have many paintbrushes that have been with me for over 5 years! 

So I will show you how to properly clean and preserve your brushes as well as an introduction to paintbrushes. 

Here is a simple guide to different paintbrushes:

The Different Brush Shapes

The world of artist’s brushes is incredibly diverse. Brushes come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, and materials, each with its unique characteristics and applications. Here are just a few examples of the most commonly used artist paintbrushes:

• Round Brushes: These versatile brushes are a staple for artists. Their fine point is perfect for precise details, making them essential for intricate work like portraiture.
  
  
  
• Bright Brushes: Known for their broad, flat bristles, these brushes are great for creating sharp edges and covering large areas with bold strokes.
  
  
  
• Fan Brushes: I love fan brushes!  I use two types of pan brushes to achieve different effects: the ones that are flat and stiff could be used to quickly paint tree leaves or add small water drops in seascapes.   The second staple of fan brushes I use are soft and fluffy, perfect for blending skin tones and all other areas that need to be smooth and soft looking.
  
  
  
• Filbert Brushes: A hybrid of round and flat brushes, filbert brushes have a rounded tip that allows for both detailed work and broader strokes. It probably is the most versatile of all brushes.
  
  
  

The Brush Materials 

• Synthetic vs. Natural Bristles: Brushes can have either synthetic or natural bristles. Natural bristles, often made from animal hair, are prized for their ability to hold and release paint smoothly. Synthetic brushes are often cheaper, durable, and can be a cruelty-free alternative.

The Brush Sizes 

The size of a brush is determined by its width, with smaller brushes being ideal for intricate work and larger brushes for covering more substantial areas.

The size 0 is the smallest, great for painting hairs and the smallest details. 

The bigger the number is, the bigger the size of the brushes will be. 

I like to use a big Bright shaped brush to lay down the background and the first layer of thin and flat paint. Then progress to smaller brushes as I build up my painting.

Why You Should Avoid Mix Brushes Between Different Mediums

.Here are some key reasons why artists typically do not mix brushes between different mediums:

• Contamination: One of the primary concerns is contamination of the brush and the resulting impact on the artwork. Residue from one medium can remain on the brush even after cleaning, leading to unintended color mixing or undesirable effects when switching to another medium.
• Medium Compatibility: Brushes are designed and manufactured to work optimally with specific mediums. Watercolor brushes, for example, are typically made with soft bristles that hold water and pigment, making them unsuitable for use with thicker mediums like oil paint, which requires stiffer bristles to handle the consistency of oil paint.
• Medium-Specific Effects: Different mediums require brushes with specific characteristics to achieve desired effects. For instance, acrylic brushes often have synthetic bristles designed to withstand the harsh chemicals and fast-drying nature of acrylic paints, while oil brushes have natural bristles that work well with the slow-drying and viscous properties of oil paints
• Longevity and Durability: The compatibility between brushes and mediums also affects the longevity and durability of the brushes. Using a brush with a medium it’s not designed for can lead to premature wear and damage to the brush. And you will not want to ruin your favorite brush because of this reason!
• Artistic Precision: Artists often develop a familiarity and preference for specific brushes for their chosen medium and style. Mixing brushes between different mediums can disrupt this familiarity and make it challenging to achieve the level of precision and control they desire.

My Favorite Paintbrush Brand:

My favorite brands are Princeton, Silver Brush, and Rosemary Co. 

How to Properly Clean Paintbrushes

Properly cleaning brushes is essential to maintain their longevity and ensure they perform well in your artistic endeavors. Here’s a general guide on how to clean brushes effectively:

Materials Needed:

• Water: For water-based paints like watercolors or acrylics, you’ll need water for cleaning.
• Solvent or Paint Thinner: If you use oil-based paints like oil paints or alkyds, you’ll need an appropriate solvent or paint thinner. Common options include mineral spirits or odorless turpentine.
• Container for Cleaning: Use a container, such as a jar or a cleaning basin, to hold the cleaning solution.   I use a stainless steel cleaner with tight seals. There is also a removable trainer cup inside it so the residue from paints will filter to the bottom.  
  
  
  
• Paper Towels or Rags: These are handy for wiping excess paint and solvent from the brushes.

Cleaning Process:

• Remove Excess Paint: Before cleaning, gently wipe excess paint off the brush using a paper towel or rag. This step minimizes the amount of paint that needs to be cleaned in the solvent or water.
• For Water-Based Paints(Acrylics/Watercolors):
  • a. Rinse the brush under running water to remove any remaining paint.
  • b. Swirl the brush in a container of clean water, gently agitating the bristles to release the paint.
  • c. Repeat the process until the water runs clear and there’s no more paint coming off the brush.
  • d. Gently reshape the brush to its original form.
• For Oil-Based Paint
  • Although Oil paints need more elbow grease and steps to clean than acrylics, but with proper care, your brushes will last a very long time! 
  • First, swirl the brush in a container with the appropriate solvent or paint thinner. Use enough solvent to fully immerse the bristles without submerging the ferrule (the metal part that connects the bristles to the handle).
  • Second, Remove the brush and wipe it on a paper towel or rag to remove loosened paint.
  • Repeat the process with clean solvent until the brush is clean.
    
    
    Reshape and Dry: After cleaning, gently reshape the brush to its original form. Lay it flat to dry, ensuring the bristles are not bent or misshapen. Avoid leaving brushes standing in water or solvent, as this can damage the bristles and the handle.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid using excessive force or harsh chemicals to clean brushes, as this can damage the bristles over time.
• Cleaning your brushes immediately after use can make the process easier and more effective. A couple of times I forgot to clean some of my favorite brushes and left them in my studio overnight, ended up ruining them because they were made of delicate natural animal hair.  I hope you don’t repeat my mistakes.
• If you have neglected brushes with dried paint, you may need to soak them in the appropriate solvent or use a brush restorer product to revive them. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for these products.

Proper brush care and cleaning are essential habits for any artist. By following these steps, you can help ensure your brushes remain in good condition for many years to come!

Let me know if this post is helpful and happy painting!

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1.  Sacred artist time. 

Your artwork starts as an imaginary seed inside of your mind.  Nurturing your artist’s brain is the start of everything. Regularly connect with your spirituality. Make it a habit to set aside time to be inspired. Journaling, reading, meditating, taking a tour in museums, and walks in nature are some great ways to cultivate and inspire your creativity.

Write your three ways to spend your sacred time today. 

2. Regular studio time. 

Seeds will not become fruition if they just sit inside your brain. 

Hard work is what must follow. Make your creative expression a priority in your life. Look at your life and schedule and carve out a regular time to be creative. 

How much time can you regularly devote to working on your art? 

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Unless you want your art locked inside your studio forever, you need to step out of your comfort zone and get your art into the world.  Applying for local and online art shows, putting your art on social media, and sharing with your friends and strangers will start that process. Be open and seek feedback. 

Click this post about 3 steps to plan a successful painting https://yingmclane.com/three-step-guide-to-planning-a-successful-painting/

I love to cheer you on!

Ying

The post 3 Ways to Be a Better Artist appeared first on Ying McLane.

 1: You’re not putting in enough time

You have wonderful ideas…great!

You have amazing skills…great!

You can make mesmerizing reels on Instagram…great!

But unless you put at least 20 hours into your studio and produce at least two paintings a week, you will not be successful in today’s art business. 

One time I asked my art mentor if she had taken many other artists’ works in her studio. She said she had tried. But she found that many of them just don’t produce enough paintings for both her gallery and the artist to make a reasonable profit. 

So, put in your hours. That’s the baseline to make it in the art world.

2: You are everywhere, and people can’t pin you down

I got you. Just like you, I have so many ideas, and I like so many styles, color palettes, and mediums… after all, we artists have a hyper-creative mind, and the world constantly feed us so many colorful inspirations. 

But here is the problem: If you paint an acrylic panda today and tomorrow, you are a watercolor landscape painter, and people will be confused. 

You can’t be everywhere and be everything, or you will lose your audience.  Having a cohesive body of work doesn’t mean you have to do one kind of subject matter and never change your styles and mediums. But you have to be recognizable. If you change your outfit and hairstyle tomorrow, people will still know it’s you. 

3: You spend too much time on one painting.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not against perfectionism. 

But it just doesn’t make sense to spend four months making a perfect painting to show it off to the world. You may get attention, but it won’t help you drive into the art business. 

You need to have a cohesive body of work to show the world what your artistic visions and your artistic prowesses are made of. And a body of work consists of at least 25 to 30 paintings. 

Do these points make sense to you? If so, leave a comment or share it with an artist friend.

Check out my article about achieving long-lasting success https://yingmclane.com/the-key-to-long-lasting-success/

Cheering you on!

Ying

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