How to Paint a Seascape in Watercolor

Have you ever dreamed of painting a beautiful seaside landscape?
For many artists, it's an ideal scene, and I understand this perfectly, because I, too, would like to be able to do it.

Hello again, and welcome to this new tutorial!

Today, we are going to learn how to paint a seascape, trying to convey the peace and solemnity that the sea inspires in us, using a perfectly suitable medium: watercolor.

Example of watercolor painting

Before we start, let's take a moment to observe how one of the greatest masters used watercolor to paint the sea.

William Turner is an essential reference for this technique. Thanks to him, watercolor stopped being regarded as a minor art and established its place in major exhibitions alongside oil painting.

Observe how Turner uses broad washes to cover the surface with soft, luminous gradients, while integrating transparent touches that blend between the sky and the sea.

He also thought to add more intense brush strokes to represent the reflection of the sun or certain details of the scene, thus creating a subtle balance between spontaneity and mastery.

Elements of a seascape

Before moving on to our painting, let's ask ourselves an essential question: What makes a "seascape"?

Here are some key elements to include to give your composition an unmistakable coastal atmosphere:

- A beach, of course, it can occupy the foreground or appear as a small island on the horizon.
- Moving waves, dancing on the water's surface; you can also add rocks against which the waves break.
- Seagulls or other sea animals such as crabs or shellfish.
- A lighthouse, an optional but very expressive element, which adds a human and familiar touch. You can also replace it with a boat if you prefer.

Painting a watercolor seascape step by step

Before starting to paint, make sure you have everything you need at hand:
Your watercolors, brushes, thick paper, adhesive tape, palette, cloth and one or two containers of water.

Choose a bright, spacious, and well-ventilated area.
Moisten your paper with clean water, or apply a thin layer of water with a brush, then affix it to a flat surface using tape, making sure to cover the edges well.

Create the pencil sketch

Start by organizing your ideas on paper. The elements you have chosen will come together to create a scene that evokes the sea: here, we will draw a lighthouse perched on rocks, surrounded by a calm sea and a sky dotted with light clouds.

Work on the basic tones using the wash technique

Now, create a gradient in the style of a wash, starting from a light blue to a soft yellow, then towards a very pale blue.

Important tip:

Unlike other techniques, watercolor relies on negative spaces to make white areas — like clouds.
Be sure to leave these areas clear.

Add details with the wet-on-dry technique

From this step, we will use the wet-on-dry technique to enrich the scene with new layers and details.

This means that you must let each coat dry completely before applying another. Patience is therefore key!

Once the first layer is dry, prepare a mix of deep blue with a hint of dark green.

Apply it from the middle of the sheet downwards, smoothing it with a clean, damp brush to create a smooth gradient.

With a dark color (but not black), paint the rocks on which the lighthouse sits. This will help to separate the planes of the drawing.

Then, paint some waves in the lower area, just below the lighthouse, using a slightly darker tone than the base. These small variations will enrich your composition.

Add the lighthouse to the watercolor painting

Now move on to the lighthouse. Use earthy colors, orange, ocher, brown, and yellow, to balance out the dominance of the cool tones of the sea and sky.

This way, the lighthouse will stand out without appearing too much of a contrast.

To create shadows, mix a touch of blue with your orange: this will give a darker but still bright tone.

Do not forget to let it dry between each layer and use a damp brush for smooth transitions.

Add water reflections

Let's go back to the water to add the reflections of the lighthouse.
Since its colors are earthy tones, we will use a slightly muted green, in order to create the impression of a reflection in the blue of the sea.

Do not worry if the shade seems a bit strong: it will fade once dry.

Use free and varied strokes: long and short, wide and thin, dark and light. The aim is to imitate the natural movement of water.

Finally, add some white specks for the brightest highlights.

In watercolor, white is used with very little water and a lot of pigment, only on dark areas.

Make sure the previous layer is completely dry, otherwise the white will spread and lose its intensity.

Finish your seascape watercolor painting

To conclude, gently peel off the adhesive strip outward and let your painting dry flat.

Remember: watercolor shines through its spontaneity, there's no need to attempt to achieve perfect details.

Let your brush strokes express themselves freely: that's how your work will come to life.

Here is the final result!

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to create your own version of a seascape and experiment with the beauty of watercolor.

Writer: Bryam