How to Paint Realistic Sand Dunes in Watercolor

Expert techniques revealed in this step by step demo with commentary from artist Tim Wilmot! Master the Art of Capturing Convincing Sand Dunes in Watercolor!
This video features:
Choice of painting subject
Composition
Drawing skills
Various watercolor techniques
Hello, I am Tim Wilmot, watercolor artist and creator of video tutorials and online workshops to help improve your watercolor.
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TIP: At the start of this video, I show my source photograph for the painting. If you want to keep referring to this during the video, then copy the URL of the video into another browser Tab or Window on your device. Run the video again, but of course pause it at the start where I show the source photo. In Chrome, you can also right-click on the tab and select ‘Duplicate’.
The paper I use and recommend is Saunders Waterford.
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#watercolor #watercolortutorial #watercolorlesson

[@jeronimomejiatorres1649]

At first I thought you were in trouble, then you did your magic, masterfully defined planes and not to mention those dunes in semi-shade, their texture is simply perfect and in the end you managed to print depth in that first term of the composition that felt a little flat , you are a monster Tim, thanks for everything!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Hey, I am always in trouble half way through the painting. Normally they look a right mess!

[@jeronimomejiatorres1649]

@@TimWilmot 😃👍

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

I could have sworn that this was going to go horribly wrong for about the first quarter of the painting time; but then thought, hang on - this is Tim Wilmot... it won't go wrong. And it didn't. A generous length of demonstration given to us, for which I for one am grateful. Very pleased and interested to see the incorporation of a little gouache - I know purists won't like it, but it's the picture that matters, not the "purity" of the method.

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Robert. I'm using a little bit more of gouache now. Sorry purists.

[@bpacarro8419]

The scalloped pattern shadow on dune wet on wet instruction and demo was very helpful. And white highlights on blades helped them pop out. Thanks for sharing.

[@TimWilmot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeromebosch4057]

Wow this is truly amazing! These crescents really looked messy at the beginning and then suddenly they turn out so realistic... I also admire the bold movement of the grasses and the bluish shadows... Truly masterful!

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you so much 😀

[@lesleyholmes6724]

What I really appreciate in all your videos is the explanation of your thinking on composition and your process from photo to finished painting. Your analysis of photo references has been so helpful. If that is the only thing (and it isn't) that I take away, you have advanced my painting and appreciation more than any other tutor. Thank you 😊

[@TimWilmot]

I agree. 50 percent of a good painting is choice of subject and composition

[@auraservent7282]

Beautiful !! I like the shadows and how you resolve the "waves" on the sand !! Thank you Tim 😊

[@TimWilmot]

Glad you liked them

[@c.reyesc.6709]

it is fantastic:the movement of the brushes is a dance of magic. bravo Tim

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks very much 😀 👍

[@goosecouple]

I'm convinced. Good job !

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks for your vote

[@clauszel]

Amazing how you tranformed some blobs and brushstrokes into convincing sand dunes. Beautiful how the painting catches the light! Thank you for sharing.

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you so much 😀. The light can be fantastic there.

[@dianefrederick8545]

Your crescent shape wind ridges are the best! They stood out for some time but when the painting was finished, absolutely beautiful! Definitely going to paint this soon! Love watching you from Chandler Arizona ❤

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you very much Diane

[@paul-oram]

Very cool indeed. I live close to the dunes in the Netherlands so this will prove a useful source of inspiration.

[@TimWilmot]

Yes exactly. I have visited those at Noordwijk and they are like this. 👍

[@denniscurran2038]

I painted a "Mirror Image" of this watercolour a few years ago, of Cherry Hill Beach in Nova Scotia, Canada .. about 2km from our home on the south shore of NS ... Great Job TIM -- as always

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks very much Dennis 😀 👍

[@billyrobertson3302]

Really succesful painting, this one. Thanks for sharing as always Tim!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Billy 😊

[@amertalibtawfeeq5725]

thanks a lot, you are a remarkable art master, and thanks for sharing all these details.

[@TimWilmot]

My pleasure 😊

[@trishpoppins5148]

I think it’s absolutely gorgeous ❤

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Trish

[@scottb5420]

Ingenious how u did the scallops in the dune

[@TimWilmot]

Took a bit of planning

[@anthonyparr2122]

I agree, I was going to buy you a beer and then pour on the dunes... but you knew where you were going with it all ...brave colours too

[@TimWilmot]

Please don't pour good beer on the sand!

[@joanbarconstomas9637]

Como siempre , magistral Tim. Muy bien resuelto y explicado. Gracias!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks Joan 😊

[@antonellaszilagyi]

Beautiful!

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks

[@nidiapearson7409]

Really nice, many thanks!!!

[@TimWilmot]

Glad you like it!

[@marylt6416]

C'est très beau, on a l'impression de s'y promener! Ce pourrait être en Bretagne, où nous avons beaucoup de dunes comme celle-là. Merci pour vos partages si inspirants!

[@TimWilmot]

Oui la Bretagne et aussi le nord et le sud de Bordeaux

[@roxypodlogar5661]

Your discussion about the best composition was helpful. What is a Polyethelyne sheet?

[@TimWilmot]

Google it.

[@calicutan]

Amazing

[@TimWilmot]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wonkywhisker1036]

❤love it

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks 😊

[@tetiana_tsyhankova329]

Thank you!❤

[@TimWilmot]

You're welcome 😊

[@BigAndyG]

Tip top nice.. I gave it a bash and am quite pleased. The Sanddune shadows of coarse are rather more coarse than yours.. Excellent tutorial. Your tuition is superb.

[@TimWilmot]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching. If you fancy a go yourself, why not consider being a Patron via my Patreon site. For a small pledge I set regular painting projects and you get a video critique back from me in return. I share hi res images of the source photos also. More info at www.patreon.com/timwilmot . Thanks again.

[@eiraumanes519]

¡Fabulous! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks very much 😀

[@roxypodlogar5661]

I am surrounded by sand and always struggle to get it the right value and hue. What gouache pigment are you using?

[@TimWilmot]

White gouache and yellow ochre watercolor

[@williamhartner7923]

Hi Tim, Can I buys pallet like yours from you? Thanks, Billy from Oregon

[@TimWilmot]

Yes of course. In the description is the link, and a discount for you.

[@356cayyolu]

👍

[@TimWilmot]

Thanks 😊

[@parapapapa69]

Absolutely marvelous . That wet on wet on the dunes is gonna be tough as fuck to do ... I am giving it a try for sure :) Grande Tim !

[@TimWilmot]

Give it a go. All about the timing