Coastal Light & Shadow - Atmospheric and Loose : Preview

Bold first washes, expressive brushwork and plenty of atmosphere! In this tutorial, we'll explore how to capture the light, shadows and atmospheric depth of a coastal scene without getting caught up in unnecessary detail. Working with rocks, headlands and water, we'll focus on creating a loose, expressive impression of the scene, whilst still keeping things accurate and believable where it matters. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to: Use a simple 1, 2, 3 tonal approach – lights, mid-tones and darks – to bring structure to your painting. Balance big, bold washes with smaller, carefully placed marks. Simplify rocks, headlands and water without losing their character. Explore soft and hard edges to create distance, depth and atmosphere. Keep your painting loose and spontaneous, whilst still bringing everything together as a whole. It's all about knowing where to be bold, where to be subtle and, perhaps most importantly, where to leave things alone! A simple, enjoyable approach to creating coastal watercolours full of light, atmosphere and expression.