Nature’s Patterns: Painting Ocean Waves
This week, as part of our monthly theme of nature’s patterns, we focused on the beautiful, repeating patterns found in ocean waves.
The video is available in the library - it is the first video under the topic "watercolour Classes"
You can paint along with me as we explore the movement and textures of the sea using watercolour. You will start by building soft layers of colour for the sand, sea, and sky, before adding white foam details that follow the natural rhythm and flow of the waves. I’ll show you simple techniques like dry brushing, layering, and adding shadows to create depth and texture, while encouraging you to follow your own instinct rather than aiming for perfection.
This class is all about experimenting and enjoying the process. You might leave areas unfinished or try something unexpected, and that is part of the fun. The waves give us a wonderful way to study patterns in nature, showing how things repeat and flow without ever being exactly the same.
I also share a few different ways to create the foam effect, so you can work with whatever materials you have at home.
Materials:
Watercolours or gouache
Watercolour paper or sketchbook
Brushes (a mix of sizes, including a small detail brush if possible)
A pot of water
Opaque white (gouache, acrylic marker, or gel pen)
Optional: hair dryer for drying layers
