Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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Have you ever wanted to create that gorgeous play of light on the sand? That refraction? Here's your tute! Using simple techniques for any level painters, Mark shows you how to build layers of refraction to create gorgeous, sun-drenched realism in your water paintings. Here's what you need for this step-by-step tutorial.

Here's a downloadable reference for you, lucky duck!
s3.amazonaws.com/MarkWallerDVDTutorials/PDF+Docs/Paint+Refraction+Reference+pics.pdf

Colours used:

Atelier Free Flow Artists Acrylics:

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

Canvas:

Pre-primed 40cm x 40cm

Brushes:
Synthetic flats approximately sizes 4, 6, 8, 10

00:00 - Equipment
00:55 - The background
01:40 - Painting the refractions
04:07 - Mixing the next refraction colour
05:38 - Mixing the next refraction colour
07:14 - Mixing the next refraction colour
08:38 - Mixing the next refraction colour
10:11 - Mixing the last refraction colour :)
12:23 - Painting the reflections
18:40 - Mixing a different reflection colour
19:30 - Adding some zap to the wavelets
21:40 - Final detailing

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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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