Section One: Materials and Preparation
Whether you’re a budding Bob Ross or a skilled brush-jockey, every masterpiece must start with the proper materials. When it comes to drawing the sea, you’ll need some simple supplies. To get started, grab a sheet of paper, a couple of pencils, and a trusty eraser. You’ll also want to gather some reference photos — pictures of the sea from different angles and in different lighting conditions. This can help you get familiar with the structure of waves and water, as well as refine your composition. With your supplies in hand, it’s time to get creative!
Section Two: Choosing a Composition
A strong composition is key to capturing the essence of the sea. You have plenty of options, whether you want to make a sweeping vista or focus on a single wave. To begin, take a few moments and sketch out some rough options by quickly registering the basic lines and shapes of your background elements. Think horizon lines, breaking waves, boats — whatever you may want in your picture. Once you have your compositions down, you can refine them with more detail in the next step.
Section Three: Refining Your Lines
Now that you have your basic lines and shapes in place, it’s time to move in closer. Start by refining your lines and shapes in order to make them appear more realistic. If you have one, you could use a ruler to draw out straight edges and smooth curves. Once you have these down, you can move on to adding even more detail.
Section Four: Details and Shading
This is where you can really bring your work to life. Now is the time to add ripples and waves, crests and valleys — all the traits that make a sea look alive. In addition to creating texture, adding shading can help bring your picture even further to life. Use the light and dark contrast of your reference photos to recreate the beauty of the sea in your own artwork.
Section Five: Finishing Touches
Once you have your picture fully rendered, it’s time to finish. Add a few subtle details such as horizon lines, clouds, and reflections on the surface of the waves to really bring your work to a new level. Finally, you can use an eraser to soften the edges and a bit of charcoal or colored pencil to enhance your shading. When you’re done you’ll have a masterpiece that captures the magnificence of the sea!
