Atlantic Foam Trails, watercolour and gouache on canvas board, (31x43cm)

Barry Herniman demonstrates a coastal scene of breaking waves using watercolour on a textured ground.

Many years ago, one of the first painting holidays I organised was based in the lovely seaside town of Tenby, on the Pembrokeshire coast, and for many years I was to return again and again.

The coastline was a delight with all the different colours in the rock strata as you moved from one area to another. The reds, greens and oranges around Stackpole Quay and the stark greys and blues around St Govans head all made a great backdrop to the crashing seas. I never tire of watching the sea in all its moods, especially when it gets into a bit of a rage, and then it’s awesome.

I have witnessed, and painted, some breathtaking waves breaking on the Doolin cliffs in Ireland and the still, turquoise waters around the Greek Isles. These moods and all those in between are a joy to paint.

Schmincke Watercolour Grounds

For this demonstration I have used a watercolour ground on a canvas board, which gave me plenty of texture to play with.

Schmincke Watercolour Ground comes in three different surfaces: Fine, Transparent and the one I have used for this demonstration, Coarse.

They enable watercolours to be painted on canvas, painting boards, wood and many more surfaces. I tend to use the Coarse ground and apply it quite thickly and randomly with a palette knife. I then have a really rather unique surface onto which I can paint my watercolours.

ORDER YOUR SCHMINCKE AQUA GROUNDS HERE

Demonstration: Sea Swells, Antigua

Sea Swells, Antigua, watercolour and gouache on canvas board, (40x34cm)