How to Paint Realistic Clear Water in Oil Alla Prima

This painting tutorial shows how to paint realistic clear water in oils Alla Prima (in one sitting).
Please note: any paintings created using my tutorials are not viable to sell. This is a copyright issue.
The original painting "Tranquil Waters" measures 36x36 inches and is available for sale on EvaVolfSeascapes.etsy.com
For this demo I painted a version of another waterscape of mine based on the photo I took on a cloudy afternoon on the Gulf of Mexico, near Clearwater Beach, Florida.
It took me about 3 hours to paint it (I also made a short coffee break) Alla Prima, here you'll see the whole process time-lapsed (because I value your time) with the most interesting moments in real time.
Here I offer an insight into my technique and hope that all my art-friends will find it useful or at least entertaining.You're most welcome to try out the techniques I taught myself over the years. I also encourage you to try out some variations: like make the dancing sunlight brighter (as if it were a sunnier day), or try adding a touch of red or orange into the final highlights to add some warmth to this waterscape.
Try going to the nearest beach and taking your reference photos. Then paint one of them starting from darker values, then adding middle values and finishing with lighter values in highlights.
For this demo I used the following colors:
titanium white, ultramarine blue, viridian (any green will do), Naples Yellow (cad.yellow light or medium will work, too), burnt sienna and Portland cool gray (can be easily mixed from ultramarine blue, burnt sienna and white). I also used Lavender Spike Oil as a medium (any oil, Gamsol or Liquin will work).
To learn more about my creative journey please visit my social networks:
/ eva.volf.artist
/ eva.volf
/ volf_eva
Please check out my other paintings:
www.evavolf.co...
To read what my customers are saying, click this link to my reviews: www.etsy.com/s....
Soundtrack: Shimmering Waves by the Euclidean Stairway.
Thank you very much for watching! Hope you enjoy it!
Your support and encouragement are much appreciated!

[@41Ned]

I have watched a couple of your Tutorials on painting the Sea You say you do not think they are Photo Real I think they are you work magic and bring the waters alive. Going to take your tip and go to the seaside and watch the water and Take photo's I will be looking at more of your paintings as they are so real All the best and Stay well...

[@EvaVolf]

Thanks for your feedback, Neville! You can also take videos and set them on pause later, or just take a burst of photos, and choose the best ones for reference. Good luck! All the best to you, too!

[@tae_nae9833]

People like you deserve gold medals for teaching 🏅🥇

[@randysmith1723]

Watching waves is therapeutic, but watching you paint them may be moreso. You're fantastic! Thanks for making a nice long video where we can really see your technique, and the process of creating such a realistic piece!

[@EvaVolf]

Randy Smith I’m so glad you found it useful! Thanks Randy

[@grantfleming]

Very generous of you to share this inspiring lesson! Thank you so much for your encouraging and thoughtful presentation. I have struggled for a long time to learn effective techniques in painting water, and this lesson is one of the best and most helpful I have seen.

[@EvaVolf]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! Thanks for your feedback!!!

[@buddygreer1154]

Eva your gift is truly exceptional. You don't just apply paint to a canvas, while watching you paint I can almost see the water moving. You must have spent hundreds of hours studying waves. You have an extraordinary eye. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you for your support! Yes, I love watching water, my favorite kind of meditation

[@highphysics3617]

Real time would be blessing,Eva. Yes,we all have time constraints,but,most painters love to see things in real time,I'm sure. When you added the pretty sparkles,the painting comes alive. Beautifully done.

[@EvaVolf]

Allison Wilson thanks Allison

[@vincentcocker8800]

Eva, I can almost hear the waves lapping against the shore. Very peaceful. I paint on the Florida coast and waves are really important. I like to watch and hear the waves and it makes me happy that they will be here millions of years after me. Your work is a grand legacy.

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you Vincent! I live in Ohio, but travel to Florida several times a year to paint and get inspired, hoping to move there soon for good

[@maryruthfarmer3323]

I watched her paint the water...and I still can't believe it because it's so real as if you can dive right into her painting!! I just love it!!

[@EvaVolf]

It means the world to me! Thank you, Mary Ruth!

[@yasminaouldkadi9823]

Vous êtes une artiste hors du commun 😮

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you!

[@edwardterrell1589]

This is a really inspiring video. I painted along with it and stopped many times to watch you work. My results were, for me, excellent. I had never tried painting with so much medium before and you work so freely that it was both a challenging and relaxing experience. Thanks, again!

[@EvaVolf]

Happy to hear that you enjoyed the process and love the result you got! Keep on practicing!

[@justme.9711]

THANK YOU SO MUCH - MASSIVE APPRECIATION FOR ALL TECHNIQUE/INSIGHT/KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN HELP OTHERS WITH !!!!!!!!!!!!! From the other side of the world, much love, more PLEASE! Huge thumbs up, I wish I could give you a thousand of them.

[@EvaVolf]

Just me. I’m so glad you like it so much! You’re most welcome!

[@justme.9711]

@@EvaVolf The true speed and comentry of this one stands it apart from the speeded up ones, so much more helpful, hey we all live and learn and I much appreciate. Could you please tell me what rate the other 32min ones are speeded up at, that way I might be able to play them back at normal or close to it, Thanks again. I can't believe you get SO many views and so few likes, how hard it it to - TICK?????, lol. Not fair.

[@EvaVolf]

Just me. I speeded some parts to x4 times and others x8 times while leaving some of them real time.

[@salvatoreperagine6461]

Vederti mentre dipingi è una vera e propria terapia di benessere

[@gwenbrown8513]

Thank you for sharing! Absolutely stunning. You have a gift with water!

[@EvaVolf]

Gwen Brown you’re most welcome

[@ВикторинЛоскутов]

As a deep sea captain, who spent more than 20 years at sea, and as a self-taught artist, I admire your works and understanding of the eternal freshness of the ocean.

[@monicaarrache6330]

I am painting a mural tomorrow and have been studying waves for it, you can never stop learning when it come to art. Thank you Eva, as a fellow artist, you have inspired me. I learned alot from your videos. You have assisted me in the field of water that I have been wanting to master. I'm going to practice what you have taught me, thank you!

[@EvaVolf]

Monica Arrache thanks Monica! Good luck with your mural!

[@engineerauthorpilot]

Love the longer video. Shorter videos move too fast through techniques I'm trying to learn. With longer videos, I can see the techniques being done over and over. It really helps me to understand what's really going on. Nice work.

[@EvaVolf]

CD P thanks, glad you liked it!

[@highphysics3617]

Yaaay,I agree wholeheartedly CD P. A real time instruction is sooo much easier to follow

[@EvaVolf]

CD P all right, I will release a real time demo on a smaller canvas soon 😀

[@rohtrautbecker3407]

Thank you for this video, it‘s wonderful. Now I understand how many steps are needed to paint Water ! My favorite Waterpainter is Fritz Thalow, but he cannot teach me anymore. I‘ m so grateful for your instructions, so I shall try it once more. Greatings from Germany!

[@EvaVolf]

Rohtraut Becker you’re most welcome. I’m so glad it helped.

[@BabySquirrelBeading]

Thank you for the inspiration. Feeling the cold winter blues here in Nova Scotia. 💨🌨️🌬️❄️ I have several paintings I'm working on but haven't picked up a brush in a week. This has sparked my joy for painting again. Namaste

[@EvaVolf]

Emma Devost Namaste, Emma 😀

[@plummetplum]

I'm always fascinated about that point where brush marks finally become a painting. I think the mid highlights you did earlier on, gave the sense of transparency and depth and then the icing on the cake with the reflections sealed the top of the water. Loved the vertical brush stokes on the highlights good tip. Very nice Thank You..

[@EvaVolf]

The Agenda it took me a while to figure out the best way to do it. It’s probably my 20th clear water painting and I’m finally quite happy with it. But there’s still room for improvement

[@mariecaroniaplotkin5268]

nice music- I don' think anyone will get it exactly like you! Gorgeous! limited palette makes it even better

[@kavithapeddi5892]

Excellent Eva…. I have learned a lot with your brush movements especially vertical brushing how the water drops shines… excellent… God bless you 🙌 🥰

[@garythornton4523]

I could watch you paint waves a million times, absolutely gorgeous. I would love to see you do a real time tutorial with audio.

[@sheslop888]

Watching you paint is so calming. Beautiful work. Labels, like classifications and definitions, are good in retrospect, to help our brain store stuff. Going to the driving range is a good time to break your swing down into it's component parts, analyze them, and work on the mechanics of them. When it's a beautiful day, and you're on the golf course, it's time to forget all that, and just be in the moment.

[@EvaVolf]

Absolutely agreed, Steve, thank you

[@florencegfernando218]

I watched the full video. It was done beautifully. All the final touch ups were excellent. Really enjoyed.

[@suegriff100]

Your painting is gorgeous, as is the video. Thank you so much for making this available. I learnt so much just watching you paint. Really appreciate the explanations along the way too!

[@EvaVolf]

You’re most welcome!!! Thanks for your kind feedback!!!

[@carmencp2516]

I love to watch you when you're painting, is really wonderful, educational for us , therapeutic, simply amazing. You are the best artist for me. Thanks for doing what you do.💙🦋

[@bethh1448]

Watching you paint water is like watching the ocean live. Love it. I appreciate the time you put forth for our benefit! Thank you. Still hoping one day to do a course with you, but in the meantime I’m very grateful for the education you are providing via videos. May you enjoy peace.

[@EvaVolf]

Beth H warm thanks Beth

[@salvomayday6928]

Ciao Eva. Ho visto il tuo video e devo dirti che mi ha emozionato tanto. Finalmente qualcuno che mostra quali colori usare e come mischiarli. Non tutti sono come te. Per tanti è un segreto. Sono un autodidatta e mi è sempre piaciuto dipingere il mare ma non ci sono mai riuscito. Con questo video ho visto e ho capito tante cose che spero di mettere in pratica al più presto. Sei veramente eccezionale. Grazie, baci.

[@EvaVolf]

you're most welcome, hugs from the U.S.

[@MrVasyfranky]

Thank you so much for sharing, Eva! You succeed in doing what i am struggling to paint for more than 10 years, trying and trying again to understand both water and painting. I am from France. Painting the sea i love is the bigger challenge i had to face, always failing. Thanks to your gift i know i will succeed now. You made my day, and surely more. Thank you again to spread beauty and your talent, from the deep of my hart. Franck

[@antoniosemplicino2948]

Bravissima artista. Grazie per averci donato questo tutorial

[@WandaCasey-m4k]

Wow Amazing tutorial, those ripples could be no more real than that, just an amazing job I cant believe I haven't tried oils in all my yrs painting> You have inspired me to now start my oil journey . Thankyou.

[@EvaVolf]

So glad to hear that! Thank you! Happy painting!

[@joseliagorresen6422]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TUTORIAL, EVA. IT IS VERY CLEAR FOR ME THAT YOU HAVE GOD IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR LIFE!!! CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR PAINTING, IT´S AMAZING!!! MAY TH LORD GUIDE AND TAKE CARE OF YOU EVER!!!

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you for saying that! You just made my day!

[@abc9abc968]

OH my god EVA!!!!?? thanks my dear I'm so glad to watching you painting and see your ticnek!!!!??

[@EvaVolf]

Abc9 Abc9 you’re very welcome 😀

[@stuartwilson8706]

Wonderful. Every confident brush stroke confirms the deap knowledge you have of your subject. I love watching your videos they are so inspirational.

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you very much Stuart

[@pog_playz2756]

Soo good……you capture the water perfectly. I love your ‘not photographic’ but seriously photographic realistic style/contemporary/not in a box xx

[@marielaartiles-antonini9462]

It's the best...realistic and clear...!!! thanks love it.

[@lisaterry560]

Thank you very much EVA I leaned a lot 😊🎉 🎉🎉😊😊😊

[@EvaVolf]

You’re welcome, Lisa!

[@tommychico71]

I want to swim in these waters you've created. Great job!

[@EvaVolf]

Tommy Monje thank you Tommy 😀🌊💙

[@headerie]

You have made this look so attainable in my own work! I appreciate this video so much. I got lost here for 46 minutes and it was so therapeutic and relaxing!

[@alvinadesir5801]

At 14.30 mins in, I sa " Aha " .... The picture just started popping into realism... I just started learning to paint, 2 pics and counting, I dont know what jm doing but oh my goodness, I've found something I love and actually have no care for mistakes, it just feels like a joyous process.. . Thankyou for sharing this incredible technique.... 🥰🙏🏽

[@aydinbekoglu]

I fell in love! Amazing water! Amazing!

[@sadiyaui]

Thank you for taking the time and energy to do this! Really appreciate

[@EvaVolf]

Sadiya Patel you’re welcome, Sadiya

[@danielabustamante4890]

Thank you SO much for posting these in depth tutorials. I never thought it was possible for me to paint something this beautiful but with your guidance I was able to do it! I’ll tag you when I post it on Instagram but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this for free, you’re the best 🥰💙

[@EvaVolf]

Hi Daniela! I’m so glad you were able to paint your version of this painting! Congratulations! Can’t wait to see it!

[@muallabiber9323]

Buyuk bir hayranlikla izliyorum tum videolarinizi. Siz harikasiniz👏👏👏👏

[@منوعاتوافكاروحرفابداعية]

Amazing - So wonderful and beautiful

[@solescobar2241]

ESPECTACULAR

[@elzareginacamposgonzalez2931]

You are the best one... I can't stop to watching your videos... Thanks for them...

[@deziv3275]

So incredible 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@bradad2026]

Currently doing a painting of Sydney harbour on a relatively calm summer's day and this tutorial is going to prove invaluable for the water between and around ferries and yachts. Thank you.

[@Amber-pw9iq]

Your work looks amazing!! So happy I found your KZbin! ❤

[@AnabelleCo]

Oh my.... what a beautiful painting! I saw it on your instagram and I eventually found your youtube. what an inspiration. thanks for sharing this lovely video. please keep it up... keep inspiring all of us.

[@evelynvanwinkle3470]

i HAVE done water but never could get it looking realistic.. YOU EVA,,, ME EVI.... !! YOU ARE SOOO GOOOD

[@saml-km9ec]

Awesome work! Thank you for mentioning your channel over on IG. I’ve been looking for a good mentor on this technique and love your step by step process.

[@EvaVolf]

You’re welcome, Sam!

[@zsuzsannavarga9370]

Love the way you paint amazing work just so real thank you to share

[@jmtezza417]

Amazing, again! You have given me new hope to perform the techniques to paint what I love...water! i admire your ability to see the underlying shapes and values from the reference, then build on that. Very insightful!

[@EvaVolf]

John Tezza warm thanks John, happy to hear that 😀

[@chihuahuapixieprincess2482]

Beautiful and hypnotic.

[@lineman55]

you have a great advantage being able to blend when needed with oils...I do acrylic and its not easy chasing after layers to blend ...I enjoy seascapes also...well done on this piece!

[@fabec3297]

Merci infiniment Eva pour vos vidéos et vos partages,vous m'inspirez beaucoup , j'aime particulièrement votre travail c'est très beau .

[@reginagobel1104]

Beautiful painting. Thanks for this inspiring video. It is also very relaxing. Greatings from frankfurt

[@aleenatariq5162]

This is soooooo beautiful 😍 ❤️❤️❤️💕💕

[@aabhapatel8065]

U are suchha great artist!!! I Love ur worksss....💕

[@lorinatheinspirer4412]

Fantastic tutorial, Eva! 💖😃👏

[@EvaVolf]

Lorina The Inspirer thank you Lorina!

[@NAVINARTSTUDIO123]

Yes you are right 😉

[@NatPaintThat]

Wow Eva, just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing 🌊👌☺️

[@EvaVolf]

Nat Paint That you’re welcome Nat! Thanks for watching

[@johnokrasa7494]

Really enyoyed your video lesson ! It inspires me to finish a spa painting I'm working on .

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

This is absolutely beautiful! Thanks a lot dear Eva for sharing this with us on YT! ❤ Have a happy Valentine's Day too! ❤ Warm loving hugs🥰🤗❤ comming to you from me in Sweden! Susanne

[@EvaVolf]

Susanne Samuelsson much appreciated Susanne! Happy Valentine’s Day! Hugs from US!

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

@@EvaVolf ❤

[@BabisMarkoulis]

Exceptional!!!🙏🫶

[@kathleenwildey2757]

I would describe your style as AWESOME

[@EvaVolf]

Kathleen Wildey thank you very much🙏 😀

[@ashvininavlekar5785]

Hi Eva , I was painting a cave overlooking the sea . And I got stuck with the sea water , waves and the reflected sunlight . So I stopped at that. But your video was very helpful and all the instructions so clear. I am eager to complete my painting now. Thank you.

[@EvaVolf]

Great to hear that! Good luck with your painting, my friend!

[@mariametsch5168]

It's amazing to see the birth of a painting from you. It's so beautiful 😍🌊

[@EvaVolf]

Maria Metsch thanks for your support Maria 💙🌊

[@tomstclair961]

Very beautiful Eva!! Your tubes of paint look just like mine. Only I need pliers to open mine anymore..lol lol lol It looks so real. I dont know when to stop and say that is it.. I end up screwing it up from not stopping. I'm getting better at catching myself now though. Sometimes less is more and more is to much..lol lol lol Keep up the great work. Thanks for sharing this video. 🌻😎✌

[@EvaVolf]

Tom Stclair Hi Tom, exactly, it’s a challenge for me, too. Step away from the painting more often. Some painters even keep their palette on the other side of the room for this purpose.

[@MohiniArtGallery]

Loved it..will definitely try

[@jame5a]

Amazing, great demonstration.

[@starforged]

A great video! Thank you for sharing...

[@marlenedaloia345]

I love watching you paint these amazing seascape so beautiful. I think I'm going to give this one a try. Thank you for sharing

[@sahajaji5780]

So beautiful

[@artbyfaith]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching you place down your colors and lines to create this beautiful realistic painting of water. I don’t like labels either. This piece is FANTASTIC! Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

[@patrickblom6673]

😘👍 Awesome painting...😍😍😍

[@EvaVolf]

Patrick Blom thanks Pat 😀

[@sarahquadeer819]

Love this piece so much! you have inspired me to learn how to paint the ocean although it has scared me for years.

[@EvaVolf]

sarah quadeer I’m very glad yo hear that Sarah

[@rh8850]

Awesome 👌🏻🍃🌺👏🏻🌺👏🏻☘👏🏻💕

[@sanketmehta5960]

Absolutely amazing... Loved watching the entire video, thank you so much for taking the time to make this video and adding all the comments and suggestions and ur thought process.. Very calming video indeed and let it shine 😍🥰🙏

[@EvaVolf]

Sanket Mehta I appreciate your support very much Sanket! You’re welcome 😀

[@angelan3385]

Fantástico, gracias por poner los colores!

[@artsandcrafts3137]

Great..! Good job I like it very much

[@EvaVolf]

Ahmed Seidi thanks Ahmed

[@hardheadcat]

Thank you so much I love your work and enjoy painting when I'm not working . The price of loving my family

[@EvaVolf]

Jeremey Battlestar Galactica I understand you completely, Jeremy! I wouldn’t be able to do it full time, too, if my husband wasn’t the main bread winner in the family

[@ashleyjojom8507]

THANK YOU EVA....🥰

[@sheilashirley3559]

Amazing... so realistic!

[@arias4316]

Beautiful, love to see you paint. It's very peaceful.

[@NAVINARTSTUDIO123]

Yes you are right

[@kimomalley2032]

Lovely, thankyou Eva💕

[@AriArt1]

Amazing painting 👏

[@EvaVolf]

Many many thanks

[@loreleidorward8651]

Thank you for sharing ! Happy valentines day ! So beautiful ! I have painted water and it is very relaxing to paint, and it's water really it never has to be perfect ! Much love !

[@EvaVolf]

Lorelei Dorward exactly! Happy Valentine’s Day!

[@manuelmalva4257]

Ai molta classeeee,,,, complimenti,,, davvero eva

[@aletaarcher3243]

Absolute talent right there. Soothing to watch too🦋

[@lindaward3092]

Thank you for sharing your technique.

[@itservice2901]

Дякую,Еva! Обов'язково напишу щось подібне казкове🎨

[@bluesky8751]

Thank you so much for the tutorial queen

[@vjakovaw1531]

A . W . E . S . O . M . E !!!

[@LeanneGuilfu]

Eva...I am transported to the ocean whenever I look at your work. It is truly magical. You have a gift! I am curious about one thing...in this video you seem to be dipping your brush in the spike oil and then gathering your paint on your brush. In another video it seems you use Liquin to pre-mix with the paint. DO you prefer one method over the other and if so, why? If you mix a solvent with the paint, do you still dip the brush as well? ( and the FL west coast is so beautiful!!! )

[@EvaVolf]

Thank you for your kind words! Lately I prefer using Liquin, because it helps blend colors better and smells less. No, you don’t have to dip your brush in it if you have already premixed it with the paint. Too much solvent is not good at all, there needs to be enough paint/pigment. Roughly I use 1:4 ratio, 1 part solvent :4 parts paint

[@shalinisArtstudio]

Superb painting .. movement of water is really looking real .. ❤️❤️❤️ seems very simple but need a hard work to learn this ..👍👍👍

[@katharinavonzitzewitz826]

Superbeautiful ...I have tons of fotos of Sky and water,but as I no trained artist I don't know how to transport my views to paper/ Your paintings are just wonderful!!!🙏

[@herminiavargascortes5092]

Precioso y elegante

[@AniVan1R]

Looks beautiful. You inspired me to try something like that sometime soon!

[@EvaVolf]

Carlos Martínez awesome! Glad to hear that!