How to Paint a Picture of the Traveler's Backpack Worksheet and Art Lesson

I am delighted to share with you my how-to-paint a picture of the traveler's backpack. 

This worksheet is a great practice project for young artists. It doesn't use too many colors and has some opportunities to experiment and develop your style and technique.

You are welcome to download and save this lesson to use in your class or at home. You may print it and give it to students as homework or extra time activity. You may put it in a file ready to give students who need a little encouragement or lack ideas of what to paint. 

THE SUBJECT

You might think that this is an uncommon subject. It makes a great still life, and the nature of the backpack tells a story.  I modeled this project off of my daughter's canvas backpack that she takes everywhere. It has character and history.  You might practice with my project and then apply what you learn by painting a picture of your own backpack.  

PRINTING

The file below is a JPEG and should print nicely on most systems. If you have any problems, CLICK HERE to visit my HOW TO PRINT page for some suggestions. The file below is in PDF format that may work better if the other does not work for you. 

You may print the images below.

How to Paint a Picture of the Traveler's Backpack Worksheet and Art Lesson

Below is a supplemental page with the outline to trace on a large scale. 

How to Paint a Picture of the Traveler's Backpack Pattern

It takes me days to create a worksheet like this, but I do it because I believe when God gives you a gift, it is so you can be a gift. I hope these worksheets are helpful for you. 

If you have problems printing the image above, then try the PDF file below.

CLICK HERE for a file in PDF

SUPPLIES

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PROJECT NOTES

TRACE THE DESIGN

Start by tracing the outline onto 140 lb watercolor paper.  This is the heavy paper that will not buckle when it is wet. You can find it at any craft store or office supply. I used Strathmore 300 series watercolor paper; it is ideal for practice and a beginner's level use.  I purchase it a Michaels or Hobby Lobby because I can always find an online coupon (you know us starving artists always looking to save a penny).

If you have problems seeing the outline through the paper, try holding it to the window with the light shining through. 

You can use watercolor from tubes or from a set. I use a portable Windsor Newton pant set. You do not need any fancy brushes for this project, but different sizes help. I prefer using natural hair brushes, but many modern synthetic brushes work fine for a beginner. 

BACKGROUND 

I like to start by painting the lightest colors. Wet the background around the backpack first. Next, apply some light-blue color into the upper areas with a wiggle motion of your brush.  Mix a little plumb purple and dark blue and with a wiggle of your brush, put it in the lower areas around the backpack. Give the background some movement by allowing the colors to blend. Add a VERY LITTLE black where the shadows are on the right side and a VERY LITTLE on the bottom edge of the backpack. 

UNDERPAINT THE BACKPACK 

Mix a little yellow and light brown. Carefully so that you stay in the lines, put the yellow-brown mix on the backpack's body. This does not need to be even; if it is randomly uneven, that will help the back have character. --LET IT DRY--- a lot of the yellow will be covered, but some will remain to give the impression of highlights.

BUILD UP THE CANVAS COLOR

After the yellow is dry, use a little light brown and paint in the canvas of the backpack- DONT COVER IT ALL, leave parts of the yellow showing.

This is because it is easier to put a dark color on top of light color than to put light color on top of a dark.

ADD SOME BROWNISH SHADOWS

Mix chocolate brown and a VERY LITTLE BLACK and with a small brush, add some shadows. 

ADD DETAILS

Mix some red and brown together to make a cinnamon color and paint the straps. Use red on the edge piping details. After the red dries, add some darker red for shadows and interest. 

DETAIL THE BUCKLES

Mix some blue-black that is more blue than black and paint the buckles on the straps. LET IT DRY, mix some black blue that is more black than blue, trace around the buckles' edges, and leave some dark blue showings. 

 

Finish by adding details like the blue cord, buttons, straps, and more shadows on the edges.

Sign and date your work about an inch from the bottom, so there is room for a frame. 

I hope you create a masterpiece! 

(c)Adron Dozat

7/9/2021

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How To Paint a Picture of the Watermill at the Pond, Worksheet and Art Lesson

I am delighted to share my how-to-paint the watermill with you.  

This worksheet is a great practice project for young artists. It employs only a few colors and has many opportunities for experimentation and developing an artist's technique. It is a simple picture and looks lovely when you are done.

SCROLL DOWN BELOW THE IMAGE FOR YOUR PDF

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION

THE SUBJECT

There are many of these old watermills still around. Mostly they are museums or part of a park, and they are not operational. They make a beautiful subject for a landscape. This design was inspired by a picture of a watermill in Virginia. I made changes to the design to give it more interest. I painted it a few times to make this little worksheet. It took a couple of weeks to create this for you. I hope you like it.  

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

The file below is a JPEG and should print nicely on most systems. If you have any problems, CLICK HERE to visit my how-to-print page for some suggestions. The file below is in PDF format that may work better if the other does not work for you. 

How to Paint a Picture of the Watermill Worksheet and Lesson

Below is a file in PDF format that may work better on some devices. 

👉👉👉 CLICK HERE for the PDF file.

It takes me days to create a worksheet like this, but I am glad to do it because I believe when God gives you a gift, it is so you can be a gift. I hope these worksheets are helpful for you. 

Here is a larger image to trace for this project. 

The pattern for How to Paint a Picture of an American Watermill Lesson

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PROJECT NOTES

Start by tracing the outline onto 140 lb watercolor paper.  This is the heavy paper that will not buckle when it is wet. If you have problems seeing the outline through the paper, try holding it to the window with the light shining through. 

There is more than one way to paint a picture, and there is more than one place to start. I like to start with the lightest colors.

Wet the sky and swish in watery blue. Let it remain uneven with some light and some darker areas of blue and even a few almost-white areas. 

DO NOT WET THE POND, but use the tip of your small brush and draw some horizontal lines. This is to give the pond a look of rippling water reflecting the blue sky.

Mix green yellow and use a watery medium-sized brush to lay down the light areas of the trees and shrubs.  

After the first wash of light green dries, mix a Medium green, try using a little blue and brown to the green. Remember, the distant trees are the lightest, and the nearest shrubs are the darkest. Dabb, the medium green onto the light green, be sure to leave a lot of light green showing everywhere. 

After the medium green has dried, mix some dark green, use a little violet, brown, VERY LITTLE black, and dab in the darkest areas. 

Give the building and fence a layer of light-brown, but don't make it flat and even leave some white showing through for interest. 

After the light brown has dried, mix medium red-brown and use the tip of your brush to draw the details of the building and some of the fence. Do not overdo it; be sure to leave the light areas showing between the dark lines. 

With the tip of your brush, use grey-brown and draw dashes for the bricks in the foundation. Draw the shingles on the roof. Add some dark areas to the fence. 

After the medium brown dries, mix dark brown and paint the darkest areas under the water trough in the wheel and inside the windows. Do not hurry this step; if it is too dark, it will look bad. 

If it becomes too dark, use tissue and clear water to blot the color out.  

Use the tip of your brush and horizontal strokes to put the colors in the pond.

 

Sign and date your work about an inch from the bottom, so there is room for a frame. Give it a name.

I hope you create a masterpiece! 

(c)Adron Dozat

2/16/2021

Please consider making a small contribution through PayPal.

How to Paint a Picture of the Lighthouse on the Bay Worksheet, and Art Lesson

I am glad to share this how-to paint a picture is an art lesson for the beginner with you.

The lighthouse is a classic theme in art and a very romantic subject. There are so many different lighthouses worldwide, and they each look different, so the possibilities for being creative are endless. 

I found inspiration for this picture from some images in different calendars. I like to look over old calendars, travel magazines, and other publications for ideas. This picture looks nice as a greeting card. 

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

If you have problems making the file below print, then CLICK HERE to visit my how-to-print for some suggestions.  There is a file below that is in PDF format that may work better on some devices. Remember to set your printer for color. 

How to paint the lighthouse on the bay, lesson, and worksheet.

I spent over a week designing and creating this lesson for you. I really hope you enjoy it.

Thank you

Below is a file in PDF format that may print better on some devices. 

CLICK HERE for a file in PDF format. 

The pattern for the watercolor art lesson
How to paint a lighthouse on the bay. 

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PRINTABLE PROJECT NOTES

Trace the design onto heavy watercolor paper; I use Strathmore 14 lb 300 series 9x12 for this project which I get at Michaels or Hobby Lobby because I can use the coupon. If you can't see through it, then hold it against a window so light shines through. An additional outline file is larger, so you can trace the picture for a larger painting.   

My paint set is a small portable Windsor Newton travel set. 

Wet the sky area and wash in watery lavender or purple-blue for the upper sky and pale blue for the sky near the horizon. Pick up the paper and tilt it one way or the other to allow the colors to blend gradually. 

Use the same colors to paint the sea, BUT DO NOT get the sea wet first. Keep the paper dry and leave some white areas for the yellows later and some white areas for the glitter on the water. The light blue is near the horizon, and the darker violet blue is near the bottom. Mix these colors darker than the sky colors. Use back and forth strokes to give the effect of gentle waves.

After the blue of the sky has dried, add sunset colors to the clouds. Dampen the clouds (dab with a tissue if it is too wet) and use watery yellow, orange, pink, and even tan to the color of the clouds just a little. For drama, add a little darker purple with a TOUCH of black and give a few dark edges.  

Take your time with the buildings. Start with an UNDERPAINTING of the shadows. Use lavender and blue for the lighthouse.  Mix a LITTLE black with brown for the shadow on the side of the house. Use a little more black and brown for the darker shadow on the foundation. Use a little light brown for the rocks. 

WHEN DRY, mix a little light brown, keep it almost clear and paint the house. Use dark brown for the roof. Don't do the shadow on the roof until it dries. Use light grey on the foundation front and mix some darker grey for texture on the dark side. Mix dark brown and black and draw a rocky texture on the rocks. Add darkness to the shadow to the water nearest the rocks. 

Wait until the sky and the sea are dry before adding the land across the bay. The land across the bay is in silhouette, but don't make it too dark.   Mix watery black and blue and paint and paint it onto dry paper.   

Continue to add details that suit you. There should be a little shadow between the lighthouse and the building and a shadow on the roof. The windows are blue and black. Add colors to the sea in the foreground using the colors from the clouds and the house. I used dark brown for the door, so it would not draw too much attention to itself, but you can use any color. 

When you frame the picture, consider cropping it so that the point of interest is not in the exact center.

I hope this picture turns out beautifully for you. 

 Happy Painting!

(c)Adron Dozat

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How To Paint a Christmas Picture of an Advent Candle Worksheet and Art Lesson.

I am glad to share this lesson for a watercolor project of a picture of an advent candle with you.

Be sure to scroll down to access the free PDF.

I wanted to do this nice little picture as an art lesson for some time. It is a lovely project and simple in design. It is a picture that you can use as a Christmas card or invitation. There are very few things that you need to pay attention to. My designs are only suggestions; I encourage you to experiment and try new things. 

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

If you have problems making the file below print properly, then see the CLICK HERE to visit my how-to-print page for suggestions that may help. There is a link to a PDF below the image. 

 

How to paint a watercolor picture of an advent candle worksheet

Sometimes it takes me hours or even days to create these how to worksheets, but I do it so that I can give back because I believe that when you have been given a gift, it is so you can be a gift to others, and I hope these worksheets are a means of blessing to you.

Here is a link to a PDF that may print better on some devices. 

CLICK HERE.

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PRINTABLE NOTES

Start by tracing the project outline onto heavy watercolor paper. If you have problems tracing it, then try to hold the paper against a window with some light shining through; that way, you might trace it. 

Mix your paint to make it watery, and paint in the dark blue for the background and the red for the tabletop. Keep your colors pale or light at first. You can always go over the color and make it darker later. 

Use watery yellow color for the candle holder and the flame. Be very careful not to get any yellow into the area for the leaves or the berries.  Use some orange that is not very watery for the edge. Use the tip of your brush and add the edge where the candle holder and the dish connect.  (Try dabbing extra water off of your brush by touching it to a tissue). 

Use some watery light green, and with the tip of your brush, paint in the leaves. Let the first light green dry, mix some dark green and add shadows and details to the leaves. To mix the darker green, try adding JUST A TOUCH of red, lavender, or brown to the green.

Use a bright red for the berries. Use the tip of your brush to make the berries round.

When the red is dry, mix some lavender with red and use the tip of your brush and draw the edges of the shadows on the berries, so they look round and not flat. 

Use dark red and put some shadow under the leaves. 

After everything has had a chance to dry, wet the white candle.  Use the tip of your brush and draw a line of light blue along the edge of the candle. The water on the paper should pull the blue toward the center, so it fades gradually.  When it has had a chance to almost dry, use the tip of your brush and draw a dark edge on the candle with dark blue. 

Use black for the wick.

If the candle is lost in the background because both are blue makes the background darker. Use a little black and dark blue and give it another wash of color. 

Sign and date your work about an inch from the bottom, so there is room for a frame. 

(c) A. E. Dozat 1/18/21

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope my projects are as much fun for you as they are for me. 

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How to Paint a Picture of a Christmas Wreath in WaterColor.

This is a nice project and it is perfect for a Christmas card or art lesson for the young student.  The picture has only two colors and uses three values. The project does require patience and the use of a steady hand for the tight areas. 

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

If you have problems making the image below to print then see the HOW TO PRINT tab for some suggestions that might help.  There is a link below to a file in PDF format that may work better on some devices.

This worksheet, even though it is simple and springs out of another lesson on drawing, still took about a week for me to design and create. I hope you have fun with it.

YOU CAN HELP

My how to paint worksheets are free and you may print as many as you like. I only ask, that if you are able, that you make a small contribution of support for my art.  CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Enter any amount that you feel reflects your level of appreciation.

Thank you.

How to Paint a Watercolor Picture of a Christmas Wreath

DONATE.

Here is a link to a file in PDF for those devices that have problems printing a JPEG file like the one above.

 

CLICK HERE for a file in PDF

Here is a larger copy of the pattern for those who like to have room to work. 

Wreath pattern for how to paint a picture lesson

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PRINTABLE LESSON NOTES 

Trace the pattern on to watercolor paper. Use the 140 lb paper, it is heavy and will not buckle when it is wet.  If you have problems seeing the pattern through the paper try holding it against the window with the daylight shining through then you can see it better to trace. 

FIRST WASH GREEN

Use a watery light green and give all the leaves a simple flat wash of paint. It will be pale and not bright. Let the light green dry before adding other colors. LET IT DRY.

FIRST WASH RED BERRIES

Use a watery bright red and paint the berries a pale flat red. Do not try to add white it will make the red an artificial pink. Paint the ribbon a flat even pale red also. LET IT DRY.

Take your time mixing your colors. Test the color on a separate piece of paper to make sure you are happy with it before you put it on the picture. 

SECOND WASH GREEN

Mix a darker green by adding blue or lavender to the green.  Use the tip of a small brush and like a pencil DRAW the first shadows on the leaves. Keep the paint not so watery as before, you may need to tap the brush on the edge of the pallet to draw out the extra water. Go over each leaf and draw around the leaf to give it definition and shape. Think about the light coming from above and so there will be more dark green on the lower edge of each leaf. leave about half of the first green showing.

SECOND WASH RED

Mix a little dark red by adding some blue or a tiny bit of brown to it. With the tip of your brush draw the darker red on the lower edges of the berries and a little on the top and sides. Use the darker red to do the bottom edges of the ribbon and to separate the different parts. Leave about half of the lighter red showing.  

THIRD STE-, DETAILS SHADOWS

Add a little violet or VERY LITTLE BLACK to the green. Use the tip of your brush and draw the dark shadows under and behind the leaves. It is only on the bottom edges and leaves behind others. 

Add a little violet to the red or VERY LITTLE BLACK and use the tip of your brush draw the darkest areas in the ribbon and the berries. 

LET IT DRY

Use pure green on your small brush and draw the line that goes up each leaf. With the same green go around the edges of the leaves as needed. 

Sign your work an inch up from the bottom so there is room for a frame.  

(c)Adron Dozat 12/18/20

Please consider making a small contribution through Paypal.

How to Paint a Picture of a Sidewalk Cafe

How to paint a picture of a sidewalk cafe is a fun project for the beginner. 

I wanted to create this project for some time. There is something romantic and charming in the scene of a sidewalk cafe. It makes you think of leisurely afternoons in some exotic location. 

I spent about a week designing and creating this picture. And another week to put it all together. It is helpful to use the internet as a research resource for image ideas and designs for your drawings. You can create a scene of some distant place and put in all the details as if you were actually there. 

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

If you have any problems making the image below to print then see the HOW TO PRINT tab for some suggestions. There is a PDF below the worksheet below image that you can try if the one displayed is not cooperative. 

 

YOU CAN HELP

I do not charge you to print my how to paint a picture worksheet, so you may print as many as you need. If you are able, won’t you please consider making a small contribution to support my art? Please click HERE and enter an amount that best shows how much you appreciate having these available. Your gift will enable me to create more. 

Thank you.  

Free How to Paint a Picture of a Sidewalk Cafe, Lesson, and Worksheet

Below is a bonus image so you can trace it and paint a larger picture, this will enable you to add more detail and experiment on your own. 

Free Design Sheet For How to Paint a Picture of a Sidewalk Cafe Lesson

DONATE

Below is a file for a PDF of the image above.

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the worksheet.

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PRINTABLE NOTES

Start by tracing the design onto watercolor paper. The best is a 140 lb watercolor paper, it is heavy and will not buckle when wet. If you have problems try holding it up to a window with the light behind it and then trace it. 

 

Do the light colors first. Use a large brush and a watery mixture of paint so it is light.  Use orange for the bricks, light blue for the windows, light brown for the wood, and light grey for the left side bricks. You can use the same grey for the street.  Let it dry before going on, EXCEPT FOR THE STREET. While the street is still wet, drag some other random colors like brown, blue, or light blue across it. Use a wet blue on the edges of the sidewalk then add a little water to pull it down a little toward the gutter. 

Use a smaller brush and keep the colors light and watery as you do the first paint of the green door and plants. Use the tip of your brush and paint around the word CAFE, leave the letters white. After it dries add a little dark green to the top edge like a shadow.  Do the same around the door. 

Red is hard to work with don't try to lighten it with white, you just end up with pink.  Use a small brush and a pale red for the window boxes, planters awning, and umbrella. Use a light lavender for the shadowy underside of the umbrella. After it dries come back with darker blue-violet and add an edge of shadow near the red edge.

With a small brush paint some random dark blue in the windows. If you want to use black be very careful and use only a VERY LITTLE amount of black. 

Make a dark green with a TINY bit of brown and blue, use the tip of a small brush to paint the darker green areas in the planter boxes by dabbing technique. 

Use the tip of your small brush and paint the light pole in light blue first and let it dry. After the light blue dries add a dark blue on one side so it is in shadow. After the dark blue has dried add a VERRY LITTLE BLACK line on the shadow side. It should look round with a light side and a dark side. 

Mix a darker orange, red, or brownish-orange and add texture to the bricks. Keep your brush drier by tapping the extra water off onto a tissue first. Use the brush flat like it is lying down and drag it across short areas of the orange wall. Be sure to leave spaces of light orange around the bricks.  Do the same with darker grey-brown-black for the stone on the left. 

Do the shadows last. Use lavender-purple under the awning and under the umbrella, and under the chairs. 

For the chairs, use the tip of your small brush and keep your brush dry by tapping the extra water out onto a kleenex.  Use a very light grey-blue and draw the lines of the chairs. The legs near the view do not need much but the legs at the back are darkest. Make the shadow on the ground more purple or violet so the grey of the chair does not get lost to the viewer. 

Sign and date your work about an inch up from the bottom so you have room for a frame.

I hope you paint a beautiful masterpiece!

(c)Adron Dozat 12/6/20

Please consider making a small contribution through paypal.

Free How to Paint a Picture of a Seagull Standing on the Beach

Here is a free how to paint a picture worksheet of a seagull on the beach. 

It is a simple picture and almost like a portrait. It is fun and not at all difficult. 

I have wanted to create this worksheet for a long time. A few years ago I was at the beach with my wife and there was a seagull on the sand for a moment. For some reason, that image stayed with me.  I finally found the time to make this worksheet. I hope it is a rewarding project for you. 

A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET

If you have problems making the image below print then see the HOW TO PRINT tab for some suggestions. There is a PDF file below that may work better for some people. 

YOU CAN HELP

My how to paint picture worksheets are free and you may print as many as you like. I only ask that if you appreciate having these available that you click HERE and make a small contribution. Your gift will let me know my worksheets are appreciated and then I will be able to create more for you. 

Free How To Paint A Picture of A Seagul On the Beach Worksheet, and Lesson

Below is a link to a PDF file that may work better on some systems.   

CLICK HERE for a file in PDF format. 

SUPPLY LIST

You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes.  You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online. 

PRINTABLE PROJECT NOTES. 

Trace the design on 140 LB watercolor paper. This is a heavy paper and won't buckle as easily.  If you can't see through it then try holding it against the window with the light shining through. 

THE SKY

Wet the area and use a mix of pale blue for the lower sky and use dark blue for the sky near the top, let the two hues blend.

TO START THE SEA

Use light blue for the far sea, near the horizon, and dark blue for the sea nearest the view, go back and forth with your brush and leave some areas white.

CLOUDS

Wet the areas for the clouds with clear water, Make a watery mix of yellow and a watery mix of orange and use the tip of your brush to drop color into the clouds. But keep it pale so it is just a hint of color. If you get too much color use a tissue to blot it out. DO NOT add the stormy dark color now- let it dry first. 

SAND

Use a yellow-brown and a wet watery brush. Apply the paint with a back and forth stroke. Mix darker brown yellow and add a few streaks the add some red-brown and add a few more streaks, this gives the sand interest. After it drys use the tip of your brush and add more colors to give texture. 

After the clouds, dry add depth and drama with some dark areas. Mix a pale blue and a VERY LITTLE black. Use the tip of your brush to "DRAW" Some stormy areas.  If it is too dark use tissue to blot it out. 

Mix some dark blue and with the tip of your brush draw lines going back and forth for the sea nearest the viewer. Do not add much darkness to the areas near the horizon since the distance looks hazy. Draw dark areas under the curve of the wave and the splash of the wave. Draw a dark wiggly line under the foam of the retreating waves. 

There are many kinds of seagulls and they look alike but different, so do not worry if yours is not perfect there is one somewhere that looks just like it. 

The wing is gray and the tail is black. There are shadows on its underside that give it the look of roundness, but be careful not to overdo the shadows. Use a very light blue for the shadows. 

You can always use a kleenex to lift the color out if it is too much. 

The beak is yellow and the legs are orange. But other seagulls have a black beak and black, brown, or red legs. 

Sign and date your work an inch from the bottom so there is room for a frame.

(c) A. E. Dozat 11/12/20

I hope you create a masterpiece! 

Please consider making a small contribution through paypal.