How to Paint Glistening Ocean Waves with Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylics

Follow along with artist Kristen Brown as she combines Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic and Liquitex Effects Iridescent Medium to paint an ocean scene that shimmers.

Instructions

  1. To keep a clean white edge, tape the sides of the canvas. Remove the tape after the painting is finished and fully dry.

  2. Mix Phthalo Blue with an equal amount of Iridescent Medium to thin the paint. Using the Liquitex Freestyle Brush Round size 2, lightly draw the basic guidelines for the painting.

  3. Use the palette knife to mix the colors for the painting:

    • Dark Blue: mix 8 parts Phthalo Blue (Red Shade), 1 part Quinacridone Magenta, and 1 part Burnt Umber.

    • Medium/Light Blue: mix 8 parts Titanium White, 1 part Phthalo Blue (Red Shade), and 1 part Bright Aqua Green.

    • Light Yellow: mix 9 parts Titanium White and 1 part Yellow Medium Azo.

    • Light Purple: mix 7 parts Titanium White, 2 parts Quinacridone Magenta, and 1 part Phthalo Blue (Red Shade).

  4. Block in the painting section by section using the Liquitex Freestyle Brush Filbert size 4. Use the Iridescent Medium to thin the paint and help blend colors wet-into-wet.

  5. Block in larger shapes first (details will be added later). The Iridescent Medium will slow the drying time of the paint to allow for more blending.

  6. Once the first layer is dry, add splashes and white water over the top.

  7. Sparkly transparent colors are achieved by glazing with the addition of more Iridescent Medium.

  8. Add the darkest darks and shadows using the Liquitex Freestyle Brush Round size 2.

    • Dark shadow color: mix 2 parts Burnt Umber, 2 parts Phthalo Blue (Red Shade), and 1 part Quinacridone Magenta.

    • Light Brown shadow color: mix 3 parts Titanium White, 1 part Yellow Medium Azo, and 1 part Burnt Umber.

  9. The spray is achieved by selectively splattering diluted white paint with a brush. To splatter paint, gently flick diluted paint off the brush.

  10. Texture is achieved by using the Liquitex Freestyle Brush Filbert size 2 or palette knife with straight Titanium White to apply more Heavy Body paint to selected areas of the white water.

  11. Paint Iridescent Medium straight onto any dried highlights to create even more shimmer