How To Paint Sailing Ship Sails?

This beginner-level painting tutorial explores the dynamic and powerful imagery of a ship sailing through rough seas using the oval brush technique. The tutorial teaches how to paint a sailboat in the ocean using oil-based paint or exterior grade latex. The painting process involves preparing the canvas, adding initial detail, and using tough sandpaper, an angle grinder, paint, and primer.

The painting process involves painting the sails from individual panels, starting with the bottom right sail and painting in yellow ochre with lighter brushed high-lights. The sky area is wetted with a large flat brush, then floats in Cobalt Blue, ensuring the horizon is straight. More blue pigment is added to the sky mix.

The tutorial also demonstrates acrylic techniques for painting layered colors on the sails, learning to layer warm and cool scumbling to build powerful storm clouds. The sails are painted in mid-tone, and the mid-tone is drybrushed in white from the top edges down towards the middle. The final step is to let the brush dance along the water, pulling into the shadows on the sails, allowing the brush to dance along the water without worrying about perfection.

In summary, this beginner-level painting tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to painting a sailboat in the ocean using oil-based paint or exterior grade latex.