Acrylic Painting Techniques
for a Seascape
Acrylic paint is a popular and versatile medium. It is both quick-drying, easy to layer and especially good for seascapes because of the various textures it affords. Acrylic paint can be used in many ways to create dimension and vitality in your painting. Applying a few of these easy techniques will help you to create a beautiful seascape.
Glazing Technique
The glazing technique, which uses several thin, transparent layers to create depth and intensity in a painting, is an important method for creating waves. The technique allows for the layers underneath to show through, so that you can use varying shades that enhance the waves and make the painting more visually interesting.
Apply the paint directly to your canvas or paper and then use a damp brush to thin the paint and spread it across the surface. The damp brush will cause the layer to spread and create a rundown effect. Make sure that the layer is dry before applying the next layer. You can repeat this process as many times as you wish; layer various sea tones such as blues, greens and browns to create the desired appearance.
Textural Finishes
Acrylic paint is great for creating textures. This can be done by using varying viscosities of paint from heavy to satin. Heavy acrylics are thick and are great for creating dimension. Seascapes are especially appropriate for a textural finish, and look great when you create the foam aspect of the waves. Use a dry brush and heavy-body acrylic paint to create the frothy foam of waves crashing to shore.
You can also mix additives like plaster or sand into your paint to create unusual textures in seascapes. Sand creates a gritty finish, and works well on foam aspects, whereas plaster looks best when used to portray waves or clouds. You can experiment with various additives to see what you are most comfortable with using and what creates the best effect for your painting.
Washes
Acrylic washes are good for doing large areas or blocks of color; this works well when painting sky and water in a seascape painting. Acrylic washes are also nice because unlike watercolors, which are always susceptible to water and other washes, acrylic paint dries quickly, and is relatively permanent when dry.
Washes are achieved by diluting the acrylic paint so that it has a watery consistency. Take a medium to large cup of water and add one part paint to it, stirring to mix the water and color together. If you want a light wash, use more water; use less water for a darker wash. Apply the color wash with a round brush, and let dry. Repeat the process as needed.
