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.
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| 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.
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| 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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