Seascapes in Acrylic

Class Preview

Capture the beauty and power of the ocean in vivid acrylic seascapes. Transport viewers to breathtaking coastal shores!

Introduction & Composition

Meet your instructor, fine artist Tom Swimm, and explore a variety of seascapes for points of view, composition choices, depth of field and other elements that make up a beautiful seascape. Next, learn how to set up your palette and transfer your image in preparation to paint.

Creating an Underpainting

Use medium to lay in a thin layer of paint as you work to paint dark and midrange values, experimenting with brushstrokes as you go. Continue to develop your underpainting as you mix hues on your palette to create areas of light and shadow that are comprised of layers of nuanced color.

Layering Effects for Water

Continue developing your ability to paint water with Tom’s expert tips to guide you along the way. Learn how to portray both clear and murky water along the shallow edge of the beach, layering paint to create transparent and opaque areas. Tom also shows you how to create harmony between the rocks and surf.

Crashing Waves

Turn your focus from tranquil water to crashing waves. Tom shares tips for adding new hues to your palette as you explore the qualities and range of white paints. Next, learn how to differentiate between foreground and background elements, and capture the water’s energy and movement.

Rolling Waves & Creating Shapes

Discover increasingly complex shapes as you paint rolling waves. Tom shows you how to look at the water critically, assessing areas of light, shadow, and the pushing and pulling forces that happen near the ocean’s shore. Next, recreate what you see as you add new hues to your scene.

Texture & Depth

Continue to use your underpainting as a guide as you lay in more texture and detail to the landscape elements of your painting. Tom shares tips for creating atmospheric perspective as you paint rolling hills and explore the characteristics of a rocky beach using impressionistic techniques.

Harmony & Mood

Put the finishing touches on your seascape as you assess ways to unify the elements in your painting. Tom shows you how to create a pleasing sense of harmony and mood as you paint the sky, apply impressionistic brushstrokes and add final highlights and a glaze to create warmth and light.