How To Draw Realistic Water
From calm streams to rippling rivers, drawing realistic water can be a challenge, even for the most experienced artists. It’s important to capture the motion and the turbulence of a body of water in order to make it look convincing. But, with the right tools and techniques, you too can draw realistic water that your friends and family will be impressed with.
Before you begin, make sure to assemble the necessary materials. You’ll need watercolor paper, drafting pencils and erasers, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, and something to draw on. Generally, it’s a good idea to use a medium-sized brush, since that’s the best way to achieve an even, consistent finish.
Start by sketching the outline of your water body onto the paper. Make sure the outline is smooth and unbroken so that the finished product looks natural and realistic. As you draw, focus on the motion and shape of the water. Study videos and pictures of various water bodies for inspiration, such as rain puddles and white-capped oceans. You’ll want to keep the movement organic, so don’t be concerned with making everything neat and tidy.
Once you’ve created the outline, it’s time to start adding shadows and highlights. Water color is the perfect medium to achieve this. Start by dabbing lightly and blending with an angled brush. Keep in mind that water has both darks and lights, so make sure to add some highlights as well. If you have difficulty blending, try wetting the brush just a bit before you start.
To get a more realistic look, add a few ripples and highlights to your water. You can do this by using the tip of your brush to lightly dab at the paper. Try to keep the splatters thin and light, so it looks like the light is reflecting off the water. You can also add finer details such as bubbles and veins. A little bit of water on the brush will also help you create realistic drips and drops.
Now for the finishing touches. You can add more shadows to give your water a real-life feel. A good way to do this is to add a thin layer of watercolor paint over the body of water. Try to keep the layers thin so the water beneath is still visible. Finally, you can add white paint to make your water sparkle and shine.
Texture and Highlights
Merging texture and highlights can be tricky, but it’s essential if you want to create realistic water. Start by dabbing light amounts of grey and brown to the water body. This will create hues and shades and will give you a better idea of the depth of the water. To add highlights, use a thin brush and flick a small amount of white paint over the surface. This will give the effect of light reflecting off the water.
You can also adjust the texture of the water by adding small amounts of white paint, but be sure to use a very thin brush as to avoid overdoing it. Remember, water should have a natural, variable texture. By adding highlights, shadows and different shades you can make it appear more 3 dimensional.
Using a Palette Knife
Using a palette knife is a great way to create realistic water. Start by applying a thin layer of paint over the entire body of water. Be sure the paint is still wet, since it will give you the best results. Then, use the palette knife to create ripples and swirls, adding in highlights and shadows as you go.
The secret to getting a realistic water effect with the palette knife is to use light and delicate touches, as to not over do it. You can add more paint to any areas that you want to be darker in color, and use highlights to make the water appear more lively. Adding a few extra swirls here and there will also help to increase the depth of the water.
Using a Paper Towel
Using a paper towel can be a great way to create a textured look for any water body. Start by dabbing paint onto a paper towel, then dab it onto the surface of the paper. The paint should be lightly applied, so as to not overwhelm the paper body and ruin the texture.
To get a realistic effect, use the paper towel in circular motions. Hint at ripples and waves, but don’t overdo it or else the final look will be too cartoonish. Add a few highlights here and there and you’ll be sure to create an incredibly realistic water effect.
Combining Different Elements
The great thing about creating realistic water is that you can combine different elements and tools to achieve the desired effect. For example, you can start off with the paper towel technique and then add a few highlights and shadows with a brush. Or, you can use the outline and painting techniques, then finish off with a few ripples created by dabbing the paper towel.
The key is to experiment and have fun. You don’t have to use the same technique for each painting, so feel free to combine different elements and find what works for you. With the right tools and a bit of practice you too can create beautiful and realistic water bodies.
