In this chapter, we'll explore the delightful addition of seagulls to your coastal paintings, bringing a lively charm and interest to your work. Imagine yourself at your local beach, capturing the essence of the scene with a video camera to study back in your studio. This approach allows you to observe and replicate the natural beauty and behavior of seagulls in your art. We'll start by creating a quick beach background, setting the stage for our feathered friends. Together, we'll learn how to position seagulls in the distant sky, as well as flying and standing in the midground and foreground, enhancing the depth and realism of your painting. You'll discover techniques for grouping seagulls naturally, applying atmospheric perspective, and drawing their elegant shapes with accuracy. Additionally, I'll guide you on how to experiment with their placement without risk and adapt to different lighting conditions. Whether you follow my step-by-step process or use the resource photos to craft something uniquely yours, this lesson promises to enrich your painting skills and bring your coastal scenes to life. Enjoy the journey!
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Seagulls" 8 x 12" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson.
Step 3Painting the ocean and foreground
Mix Ocean Color
Use white, blue, and a tiny touch of yellow to create a light grey-green mixture for the ocean. This combination will give a subtle, natural look. For more vibrant colors, consider using phthalo blue instead of ultramarine blue, but be aware that phthalo blue is harder to control.
Soften Ocean Edge
Paint back into the ocean area with a mix of white, blue, and a tiny touch of red to soften the edge. This will create a smooth transition in the water.
Paint Foreground
Use mainly vertical strokes in the foreground to describe the reflective quality of the surface. Add more blue and red to make the area darker, working up into the lighter blue mixture.
Reflect Warmer Clouds
At the bottom, reflect the warmer clouds by using vertical strokes with the color from the palette. This will add depth and warmth to the painting.
Add Waves and Details
Use a crisp brush with blue and a little yellow to create waves, making very straight lines. For foreground ripples, use a neutral grey and a dark purpley grey for details on the wet sand. Add a slightly lighter grey for some ripples in the foreground sand and dot in a few little shells.
Paint Distant Foam
Use white with a little yellow for the waves, applying it right on the end of the brush. As the foam gets further away, add more blue to reflect atmospheric perspective.
Pro tipUse vertical strokes to enhance the reflective quality of water surfaces.
Embark on your seagull painting journey by preparing your canvas and palette with care. Begin by laying down a serene beach scene as a backdrop, setting the stage for your seagulls. Use a combination of colors to create depth and atmosphere, ensuring the background supports rather than competes with the main subjects.
As you move forward, focus on the ocean and foreground, capturing the reflective qualities of water with vertical strokes. Introduce seagulls into your scene, using strategic placement and varied shapes to create a natural and dynamic composition. Pay attention to the details of each bird, using minimal brush strokes to convey their form and movement.
Finally, refine your painting by adding reflections and adjusting colors to match the light conditions. Use atmospheric perspective to enhance the sense of distance and realism. Whether your seagulls are the stars of the show or subtle accents, they should add life and interest to your composition.
Points to remember
Paint the background first to give context and depth before adding seagulls.
Thin the background paint with walnut oil to ensure it doesn't interfere with the seagulls.
Use vertical strokes to enhance the reflective quality of water surfaces.
Use the concept of a scalene triangle to avoid pattern making in your seagull placement.
Aim to paint each seagull with just two or three brush strokes by adjusting the angle and pressure of your brush.
Use a sheet of glass or plastic to test seagull placement before painting them on the canvas.
Ensure reflections are spaced away from the body to avoid the appearance of tiny legs.
Adjust the color on the seagulls' undersides based on the ground color and light conditions to create realistic reflections.
