Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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This tutorial was filmed as a pre-workshop tutorial for our recent Esk workshop.

Part 2 is out now:

youtu.be/dqmpUAtmqdc

We hope you enjoy the process of blocking in an early morning beachscape.

This is an exercise in understanding the nuance of hue and tone in relation to the light. We’ll be exploring added elements including clouds, waves, reflections, and a headland, being mindful of the warm to cool principles, as well as the effect that the light has on all the objects. We’ll be paying particular attention to the difference in the way light affects all objects, relative to their distance from the light source.

This tutorial will focus in on brush technique, your observation skills, and will require a gentle hand. Get your subtle on! We’ll be using a fairly limited palette to keep our colours under control.

Here is your detailed video tutorial on blocking in your background. The sky and water areas, from the intense light through to the darker areas. If you need additional support for this part, we are more than happy to help walk you through.

Materials Needed:
Paint:
Atelier Interactive Artists Acrylics

Titanium White
Pthalo Blue
French Ultramarine Blue
Cadmium Yellow Light
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Dioxazine Purple
Burnt Umber

Atelier Free Flow Artists Acrylics

Titanium White

Optional: Water Spray Bottle

Canvas:

1 x pre-primed stretched canvas approx 50cm x 70cm.

Brushes: 4 flat brushes in varying sizes (eg 6,8,10,12), one small liner brush

Join this channel to get access to perks:
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For more great acrylic painting tips, techniques and tutorials to improve your painting processes, make sure you check out Mark's tutorial website at:
explore-acrylic-painting.com

For Mark's tutorial products including his Beachscapes Paint Recipe Book, downloadable and streamable DVDs on painting water and waves, painting "start to finish" downloadable tutorials (the V-Logs) and ebooklets, go to his shop here:
explore-acrylic-painting.com/shop.html

Want to look at Mark's available works? For limited edition prints and artworks go to his art website at https://www.markwaller.com.au

For more info on upcoming workshops (or digital one-on-one lessons), go to:
explore-acrylic-painting.com/workshops.html

Mark uses Atelier Free Flow Artists Acrylics and Atelier Interactive Artists Acrylics by Chroma Australia.

Mark uses Micador for Artists Future and series 1300 brushes (amongst others, usually whatever is within reach). Micador is a fantastic Aussie company doing their best for the environment. For more info on their sustainability efforts see https://micador.com.au/green_earth

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