My latest tutorial on how to paint watercolor lighthouses!

As you know, I’m 50/50 on sketching a subject before painting. I do like to sketch if I’m concerned about composition. But if I’m just going with the flow and painting loosely, I usually forego the sketch. In this post, I’m going to show you how to paint five different watercolor lighthouses. They all use similar techniques, but like any subject, it’s good to paint it over and over again until you get the hang of it. So try these five out, and keep painting on your own, too!

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MATERIALS USED

• Paint: http://amzn.to/2vgmzG5​ and http://amzn.to/2vgjtlc​
• Brush(es): Grumbacher 6 (http://amzn.to/2vyPMyg​), Winsor & Newton Cotman series (http://amzn.to/2vJx4Vi​)
• Paper: http://amzn.to/2vzf13P
• All of my favorite supplies here

Watercolor Lighthouse #1

With your round size 6 brush, paint a light wash, and drop in some darker color while the layer is still wet

While the first layer is drying, use a smaller brush to paint the top details

Let’s paint a blue background. Use the same technique as the first step where you lay down a light wash, and then drop in darker color.

Once the light brown layer is dry, use your smaller round size 2 brush to add brick details.

Watercolor Lighthouse #2

The next two lighthouses will be mostly white. This can be challenging, but think about painting just the shadows.

Start with a light grey and a light blue wash. Keep the colors reeeeeally light! Key: lots of water.

I’m using my round size 6 brush here.

Paint the top of the lighthouse in black. Leave some white space to show the highlights.

Fill in the body of the lighthouse a bit more using that same light grey.

Let’s paint a rocky foundation using the wet-on-wet technique.

When everything is dry, use your smaller round size 2 brush to add final details.

Watercolor Lighthouse #3 

Let’s paint another white lighthouse. Use mostly a light grey for the first wash. And then drop in some light brown paint. That will show age on the lighthouse.

Paint a small section of light blue.

Paint the top part of the lighthouse, leaving some white space for highlights.

Let’s paint another rocky foundation using mostly burnt umber.

Use your smaller round size 2 brush to add final details.

Watercolor Lighthouse #4

The red/white lighthouse is pretty classic. Paint alternating sections of red and white. Make sure to leave some white space for highlights.

For the white, use a very light bluish-grey.

When everything’s dry, use your smaller round size 2 brush for smaller details.

Watercolor Lighthouse #5

Let’s start with the smaller size 2 brush. Draw a cage like top of the lighthouse. 

Using light washes of brown, paint the body of the lighthouse.

Add details like railing and windows.

While the light brown layer is still wet, drop in dots of darker brown for brick like texture.

Let’s do a dark purple background. Use the same wet-on-wet technique as we used in the first lighthouse.

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Thanks so much for painting with me! I want to see your watercolor lighthouses!

If you use this tutorial, please tag me on social media @AudreyRaDesign and use the hashtag #PaintWithAudrey.