In this chapter, I invite you to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of water lilies, drawing inspiration from the timeless works of Monet. We'll be working on a 12 by 14 inch canvas using acrylics, specifically the Italia Interactive colors, which offer the flexibility of a longer drying time, allowing for painterly wet-into-wet effects that are typically associated with oils. This makes them perfect for capturing the delicate gradations and soft edges of our subject. The colors we'll be using include ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, Bordeaux or alizarin, yellow ochre, arilamide yellow light, and titanium white. These choices will help us achieve the vibrant yet subtle hues of the water lilies and their surroundings. As we progress, you'll learn to create sparkling impasto highlights and explore various brush techniques with long flats, synthetic brushes, and a palette knife. We'll also use a spray bottle for keeping the paints workable and for adding unique effects. This lesson is designed to enhance your skills in good design, accurate drawing, and passionate brushwork, applicable across all mediums. Whether you're using acrylics, oils, or another medium, this scene offers a rewarding exploration of color, light, and reflection.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Use a big brush to mix Ultramarine blue with a little bit of white. Apply this mixture as a thin layer across the canvas to create a 'couch', a wet surface to paint into. This will help achieve soft edges and a reflective water effect.
Mix Dark Green
Combine both blues with magenta and yellow ochre to form a very dark green. This mixture is almost neutral but retains a lot of green, perfect for creating depth in the painting.
Apply Dark Green
Start applying the dark green from the bottom of the canvas. Use plenty of paint, as an absorbent canvas requires more to achieve the desired effect. Ensure your strokes are vertical or horizontal to mimic a reflective surface.
Vary Brush Strokes
Avoid using only one direction for your strokes. Mix vertical and horizontal strokes to add variety and a painterly quality to your work. This prevents the painting from looking too uniform and adds interest.
Cover the Canvas
Continue working into the blue areas with a slightly bluer or more purple mix. Use a large brush to cover the canvas efficiently, especially if using acrylics, to maintain the wet-on-wet effect.
Pro tipUse vertical and horizontal strokes to create the effect of a reflective surface.
Embark on your water lily painting journey by first establishing a clean and vibrant background. This sets the stage for your composition and allows you to capture the natural reflections of trees and sky in the water. Utilize techniques like painting upside down to achieve realistic reflections, inspired by the works of Monet.
As you progress, focus on layering and creating depth with varied brushstrokes and color mixes. Use a combination of vertical and horizontal strokes to mimic the reflective qualities of water, and gradually introduce lighter tones to highlight the effects of sunlight. This will add texture and interest to your painting.
Finally, bring your water lilies to life with thoughtful placement and attention to detail. Use impasto techniques to add dimension to the lily pads and flowers, and ensure your composition maintains a balance of light and dark to evoke a serene atmosphere. Experiment with different styles and techniques to develop your unique artistic voice.
Points to remember
Paint the background first to keep colors clean and simplify the process.
Use vertical and horizontal strokes to create a reflective surface.
Wet your brush before use to prevent paint from drying in the ferrule.
Turn your canvas upside down to enhance the reflection effect.
Avoid creating uniform patterns by using natural references for water lily placement.
Use thick, impasto paint to create a three-dimensional effect on the lily pads.
Apply thick impasto paint for water lilies to create depth and realism.
Mix colors lighter and more vibrant to counteract acrylics drying darker and duller.
