How to Paint Watercolor Shells
Painting with watercolors is so relaxing. I thought it would be fun to share how to paint four different types of shells with you. This is great for beginners and intermediate painters.
Materials
- 1 sheet watercolor paper I used Canson XL Cold Press Paper
- 1 Pencil
- 1 Eraser Kneaded
- 1 water container
- 1 piece scrap paper
- 4 shells for inspiration
- Paint Brushes I used a round 2, 4, and 6
Watercolor Tube Paints
- 1 tube Payne's Gray
- 1 tube Lamp Black
- 1 tube Cerulean
- 1 tube Indigo
- 1 tube Burnt Sienna
- 1 tube Alizarin Crimson
- 1 paint palette
Instructions
- Step 1 - Free hand draw your shells or trace around their shape. Add details to shell.
- Step 2 - Start with light washes to create the body shape of the shell.
- Step 3 - Slowly add more and more detailed layers going darker each time. Really look at the shells to achieve a similar look to your watercolor versions.
- Step 4 - Add some pearlized watercolor paint (optional) to create a shimmer
- Step 5 - once you're happy with the shells add a shadow under the shell. For this you want mix some gray paint with the color of the actual shell. With a slightly wet brush soften the line.
- Step 6 - Enjoy your paintings!
Video
Notes
Watercolor paints dry 10% lighter so factor that in whilst painting.
If you place watercolor on top of watercolor while still wet the paint will bloom. This can have a wonderful result but you need to be aware of wet on wet or WOW. You will see a little of this in the video but it's mostly applying layers onto dried paint.
If you already have paints you are happy with you don't need to buy the ones I used. You can do this same tutorial with the colors you already have.