Whale Painting Tutorial: A Step-by-Step Guide to Coloring Your Watercolor Whales198

If you've been following my watercolor tutorials, you know that I love painting whales. They're such majestic and beautiful creatures, and I find them very relaxing to paint. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to color a watercolor whale painting using a simple step-by-step process. You'll learn how to mix the right colors, create a realistic texture, and add highlights and shadows to create a beautiful and realistic whale painting.## Step 1: Gather Your Materials
To get started, you'll need the following materials:
* Watercolor paper
* Watercolor paints
* Paint brushes (round and flat)
* A cup of water
* A palette or mixing tray
* A pencil or pen
* A ruler or protractor (optional)
## Step 2: Sketch Your Whale
Once you have your materials, you can begin by sketching your whale. You can use a pencil or pen to draw a simple outline of the whale's body, tail, and fins. If you want to create a more realistic whale, you can use a ruler or protractor to help you draw the correct proportions.
## Step 3: Mix Your Colors
The next step is to mix your colors. For the whale's body, you'll need a mixture of blue and gray paint. Start by adding a small amount of blue paint to your palette. Then, add a small amount of gray paint and mix the two colors together. You can adjust the ratio of blue to gray to create different shades of gray. For the whale's tail and fins, you'll need a mixture of black and gray paint. Add a small amount of black paint to your palette, then add a small amount of gray paint and mix the two colors together.
## Step 4: Paint the Whale's Body
Once you have your colors mixed, you can begin painting the whale's body. Start by applying a light wash of blue-gray paint to the entire body of the whale. Use a round brush to paint in the direction of the whale's body. Once you have applied the first wash, you can begin to add darker shades of gray to create a realistic texture. Use a flat brush to paint in the darker shades of gray, and use a round brush to blend the colors together.
## Step 5: Paint the Whale's Tail and Fins
Once you have painted the whale's body, you can paint the whale's tail and fins. Use a black-gray mixture to paint the whale's tail and fins. Use a round brush to paint in the direction of the tail and fins. Once you have applied the first wash, you can begin to add darker shades of gray to create a realistic texture. Use a flat brush to paint in the darker shades of gray, and use a round brush to blend the colors together.
## Step 6: Add Highlights and Shadows
Once you have painted the whale's body, tail, and fins, you can add highlights and shadows to create a more realistic look. Use a white or light gray paint to paint in the highlights. Use a dark gray or black paint to paint in the shadows. Use a round brush to paint in the highlights and shadows, and use a flat brush to blend the colors together.
## Step 7: Finish Your Painting
Once you have added the highlights and shadows, your whale painting is complete! Allow the painting to dry completely before framing it or displaying it.
## Tips for Coloring Your Watercolor Whale Painting
Here are a few tips for coloring your watercolor whale painting:
* Use a light touch when applying the paint. Watercolor is a transparent medium, so it's important to avoid overworking the paint.
* Use a variety of brush strokes. Use a round brush to paint in the direction of the whale's body, and use a flat brush to paint in the darker shades of gray.
* Blend the colors together. Use a round brush to blend the colors together, and use a flat brush to create a smooth transition between the colors.
* Add highlights and shadows. Use a white or light gray paint to paint in the highlights, and use a dark gray or black paint to paint in the shadows.
* Allow the painting to dry completely before framing it or displaying it.