Water Color Beach Scene

This project is a great way to introduce watercolors for the first time.
It is best to divide this project up into 2 One hour class sessions.

I have also scaled the reference to an 8x10 piece and added a white grid over reference then printed color reference with grid.

If you are working with elementary students you may need to draw a grid for them to work on.
The grid should be 8x10 divided into 2" squares.

Middle- High School students can draw grids on their own- this teaches students measurements.

It is important to instruct the students on how to draw using a grid. The students should sketch lightly one square (in the corresponding square on their watercolor paper.) It is important to sketch one at a time at least for 2-3 squares.

This helps students to begin to understand how to break down the piece into manageable pieces.
After sketches are complete continue to painting.

SKY-
Wet paper using paint brush in horizontal strokes, with a sky wash, the wash does not need to be uniform. Students learn to "mill the liquid watercolor paint" until the consistency is desirable.
Students are to paint on the wet watercolor paper leaving space between strokes.
The paint should be darker (thicker) at the top and lighter (thinner) towards the horizone.

CLASS 2
The next class the painting should be completely dry or use a hairdryer.
students should lightly sketch areas that may not be visable.
Then students should use light green to start palm tops, work up to dark green, add tree trunks then lastly, add white clouds.

Clouds should have flat bottoms and should vary in thickness- thicker fluffier clouds are usually higher in the sky and thin less fluffy clouds toward the horizon line.