How to draw water with soft pastels from Udemy

This class is all about drawing water with soft pastels. If you are a beginner or have some experience in drawing this class is just for you.

Soft pastels is the most immediate way of applying the color on the paper and the velvety matt texture makes it one of the most beautiful art mediums. And when combined with such a beautiful subject as the sea or a landscape it creates magic.

I will walk you through different textures of water, we will look at ripples and how to show them in perspective, we will draw sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water and you will be surprised to find out that sand can be pink and even purple.

One of the most important things to do before starting any drawing is understanding its nature, this is why we will also look at different states of water and analyse different water sources in different lighting conditions.

This class if perfect for any beginner. Do not get discouraged if this is the very fist time you are holding a pastel stick in your hand. I am here to guide you and give you all the support and advice you need to get started.

In this class we will draw:

ripples
waves
sea foam
reflections
wet and dry sand

Is this class for me?

Do you like drawing? Do you paint in watercolor, sketch with markers of prefer acrylics? Do you feel creative? Do you draw just for fun, for your family or friends? But you feel like drawing water is too boring or too difficult? In this course you will learn just how easy and fun drawing water can be.
Did you use to draw in your childhood but now as an adult you have you life constantly happening and you cannot find time for your creative outlet? Short lessons are simply perfect to dedicate those twenty minutes to art daily and will start you on a wonderful creative habit.
Someone told you that you cannot draw? Or was it you yourself certain that you simply aren't gifted? I have some good news, anyone can learn to draw, all it takes is practice.

If you have answered 'yes' to any of the above questions then this course is definitely for you. Join in, it's never too late to start.

A bit more about the course:

The course consists of short step by step lessons which are easy to follow even on a tight schedule. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. By the end of this course you will discover that water is nothing to fear of. Join in and let's draw water.

What's inside

Syllabus

Seascape

How to draw water with soft pastels

Introduction

Understanding water

Elliptical ripples

Ripples in perspective

Foam

Reflections

Waves & Splashes

Sand

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to draw water with soft pastels with these activities:

Practice Basic Pastel Techniques

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Reviewing fundamental pastel techniques like blending, layering, and shading will help you better grasp the nuances of drawing water textures.

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Gather pastel sticks, paper, and blending tools.
Practice blending different pastel colors together.
Experiment with layering pastels to create depth.
Try different shading techniques to create highlights and shadows.

Read 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'

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Understanding the fundamentals of drawing, as taught in this book, will significantly improve your ability to render water accurately with pastels.

View Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'.
Work through the exercises in the book, focusing on perspective and form.
Apply the techniques learned to drawing simple objects.

Create a Pastel Color Chart

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Creating a color chart will familiarize you with your pastel set and help you understand how different colors interact, which is crucial for capturing the nuances of water.

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Gather your pastel set and a sheet of paper.
Create a grid on the paper.
Fill each square with a different pastel color, labeling it.
Blend some colors together and add them to the chart.

Four other activities

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Practice Drawing Ripples and Waves

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Repetitive practice of drawing ripples and waves will build muscle memory and improve your ability to render these elements quickly and accurately.

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Find reference images of ripples and waves.
Practice drawing different types of ripples and waves.
Focus on capturing the movement and texture of the water.

Draw a Seascape Study from a Photo

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Creating a detailed study from a photograph will help you apply the techniques learned in the course and develop your own artistic style.

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Select a photograph of a seascape with interesting water features.
Sketch the basic composition of the scene.
Add details, focusing on the water textures and reflections.
Use pastels to create the final drawing.

Explore 'Alla Prima II' by Richard Schmid

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Studying the principles of light and color in 'Alla Prima II' will enhance your ability to create realistic and captivating water scenes with pastels.

View My Still Life Art on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Alla Prima II'.
Read the sections on color mixing and light.
Analyze Schmid's paintings, paying attention to his use of color and light.
Apply these principles to your pastel drawings.

Create a Series of Water Studies

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Undertaking a series of water studies will allow you to explore different water conditions and develop a deeper understanding of how to capture them with pastels.

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Choose a variety of water scenes to study (e.g., calm lake, stormy sea, waterfall).
Create a series of pastel drawings, each focusing on a different water scene.
Experiment with different pastel techniques to capture the unique characteristics of each scene.
Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete How to draw water with soft pastels will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Seascape Painter

Seascape painters focus specifically on scenes of the ocean, capturing its dynamic energy and serene beauty. This career path requires a deep understanding of water, light, and atmosphere. This course is directly applicable, focusing specifically on drawing water with soft pastels. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. The class will also cover ripples and how to show them in perspective, drawing sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water and you will be surprised to find out that sand can be pink and even purple. This class is perfect for any beginner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Seascape Painter

Landscape Painter

Landscape painters specialize in depicting outdoor scenes, capturing the beauty and essence of nature. Landscape painting requires strong observational skills and the ability to translate three-dimensional scenes onto a two-dimensional canvas. This course is directly relevant, focusing specifically on drawing water with soft pastels. The course analyzes different water sources in different lighting conditions. It walks you through different textures of water, looking at ripples and how to show them in perspective, drawing sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water. In this course, you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Painter

Fine Artist

A fine artist creates original works of art, often for exhibition or sale. An important skill is a solid understanding of color, composition, and technique. This course on drawing water with soft pastels helps build skills in representing a complex subject. The class walks you through different textures of water, we will look at ripples and how to show them in perspective, we will draw sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water and you will be surprised to find out that sand can be pink and even purple. The techniques learned in this course help inform your approach to other subjects. In addition, the lessons are short and easy to follow. Any fine artist can benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Fine Artist

Illustrator

An illustrator visually interprets ideas, often for books, magazines, or other media. This career often requires creativity and an eye for detail. The course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful, especially if you are interested in including bodies of water in your illustrations. This course focuses on drawing different textures of water, showing ripples in perspective, drawing sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water and drawing sand. Anyone seeking to be an illustrator can benefit from this course. You will also draw a beautiful seascape with a wave.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Concept Artist

Concept artists create visual representations of ideas for use in films, video games, and other media. They must be skilled in translating abstract concepts into compelling visuals. This course helps solidify the understanding of how to draw water with soft pastels. Specifically, you will draw different textures of water, we will look at ripples and how to show them in perspective, we will draw sea foam and waves, and reflections in the water, all of which may be useful for a concept artist. The course also analyzes different water sources in different lighting conditions. Anyone seeking to be a concept artist can benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Art teacher

An art teacher educates students in various art techniques and concepts. They often need a broad understanding of different mediums and subjects. This course, focusing on drawing water with soft pastels, may be useful for expanding your knowledge of pastel techniques and teaching specific skills to your students. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. The course also covers understanding water, elliptical ripples, ripples in perspective, foam, reflections, and waves and splashes which are all important when learning how to capture the magic of water. This course will help inform your own instruction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher

Watercolor Artist

Watercolor artists create paintings using transparent watercolor paints, known for their delicate washes and luminous effects. This career calls for precision and an understanding of color mixing and layering. This course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful for understanding the nuances of depicting water and applying those principles to watercolor techniques. The course explores different textures of water, ripples, sea foam, waves, and reflections. While the medium differs, the understanding of water dynamics translates well. In the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave.

See salaries and explore the career path for Watercolor Artist

Animator

Animators create moving images using a variety of techniques, including hand-drawn animation, computer animation, and stop-motion animation. This career path requires patience, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of movement. The course on drawing water with soft pastels helps develop skills in representing a dynamic element. Here, you will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. The course also covers understanding water, elliptical ripples, ripples in perspective, foam, reflections, and waves and splashes which are all important when learning how to capture the magic of water. The course may be useful in understanding dynamic elements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Scenic Designer

Scenic designers create the visual environment for theater, film, and television productions. This career path requires both artistic skill and practical knowledge of construction and materials. This course may be useful, offering instruction in drawing water with soft pastels for visual reference. The course covers how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. This course guides you through different textures of water, we will look at ripples and how to show them in perspective, we will draw sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water. Anyone seeking to be a scene designer can benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scenic Designer

Multimedia Artist

Multimedia artists create art using a variety of digital and traditional techniques, often combining different mediums and technologies. This career path requires adaptability and a willingness to experiment. The course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful for expanding your skills in traditional art and incorporating those techniques into digital projects. You will draw different textures of water, we will look at ripples and how to show them in perspective, we will draw sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water. By the end of this course you will discover that water is nothing to fear of.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

Muralist

Muralists create large-scale artworks, often on walls or other public surfaces. This career path requires a blend of artistic skill and practical knowledge of materials and techniques. This course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful to a muralist whose work incorporates seascapes. The course goes over ripples and how to show them in perspective, drawing sea foam and waves, as well as reflections in the water. The course may be useful to those who have never held a pastel stick in their hand. In this course, you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave.

See salaries and explore the career path for Muralist

Textile Designer

Textile designers create patterns and designs for fabrics. A strong understanding of color and form is essential for success. Those interested in depicting water scenes or textures might find this course on drawing water with soft pastels very useful. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. The course will help you understand different states of water and analyze different water sources in different lighting conditions. This course may be useful to any textile designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer

Surface Pattern Designer

Surface pattern designers create designs for a variety of surfaces, including wallpaper, stationery, and home goods. They need a strong sense of color and composition. This course focusing on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful to designers interested in incorporating water motifs into their work. This class is perfect for any beginner. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave. By the end of this course you will discover that water is nothing to fear of. Join in and let's draw water.

See salaries and explore the career path for Surface Pattern Designer

Art Director

An art director oversees the visual style and images for various projects, such as magazines, film sets, or advertising campaigns. They need a strong understanding of visual communication and the ability to guide a team of artists. The course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful for understanding the creative process and providing informed feedback to artists working with similar subjects. The course consists of short step by step lessons which are easy to follow even on a tight schedule. You will learn how to draw different states of water and in the end you will draw a beautiful seascape with a wave.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Exhibition Designer

Exhibition designers create engaging and informative displays for museums, galleries, and other exhibition spaces. A sense of spatial awareness and visual storytelling is key. Although not directly related, the course on drawing water with soft pastels may be useful for developing your artistic skills and understanding visual representation. The course will also cover understanding water, elliptical ripples, ripples in perspective, foam, reflections, and waves and splashes which are all important when learning how to capture the magic of water. While the focus is on a specific subject, the underlying principles of art help build a foundation for exhibition design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exhibition Designer

How to draw water with soft pastels

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