How to Draw Water Reflections

Reflections in water are one of many things that stymie artists. It is because they get engaged in the details and not in the substance of what they are trying to draw or paint. Simplifying what you look at, finding a way to represent that in value masses, having those masses engaged structurally, that is a recipe for consistently better results.

This week I examine a river scene and I show how I would approach the scene, both structurally and in exaggerating the prominence of the existing value masses.

Here is a link to a 7 minute demonstration of my drawing this image.

Let me know what you think.

[IanRobertsMasteringComposition]

Do you have trouble drawing and painting water reflections?

[skidisciple]

"Never as strong as 2 masses and a gradation pushing the viewers up to the point of interest!! Thanks!!

[carolepivarnik]

I have purchased your DVDs, book, and watched all your videos. This is probably one of the most helpful short videos yet!!!! Thanks so much. Would love to see you paint this scene in a future video, as a continuation of this one. I share your TY channel widely with my artist friends...can't believe your videos are not getting more comments and likes!

[C.Hawkshaw]

Thanks for this because I tend to want to “copy” my photos, but if they weren’t perfect I was stumped. Now I get the creation part.

[domdomak]

I'm a total beginner and let me just say that this is so engaging and simple and I understood the important of value and of "artistic vision" completely thank you so much

[stevietv]

I can see that mapping out the values in a drawing is very useful. I could never be bothered to do a sketch prior to paying but this is golden!

[johnpetruzzellis]

Thank you so much for simplifying this process, I can’t tell you how much it has helped me in my painting journey.

[shirleyhuet]

I found this so informative. The simplicity of rendering those shapes down and enhancing the certain areas with darker values made me realise how much easier it is to be transported into the image. Wonderful effect. Thanks so much Ian. 😁💜

[deborahrech]

Very helpful! I just painted a water scene en plein air and did exactly what you said not to do with the reflections as the breeze was moving things around. Now I will try the same scene again. Thanks for another great lesson.

[dianamiguel]

Thank you so much for your videos, Ian!! They're so helpful!! You speak so clearly!!
I can't stop thinking of your teachings!! I love your drawings! How you simplify images and the light in them!!

[shwetamewara]

Thanks for sharing. This is very insightful.

[tracyhickman]

Another fabulous video and great reflection tips!

[lisengel]

I love being close to water - especially at the sea listening to the sounds of waves

[peachmccomb]

That was extremely helpful for painting both in the studio and outside. Your videos are direct and the step-by-step instructions are easy to follow.

[robinedmundson]

Loved seeing this! Even though I've drawn a version of that scene myself, it was great to hear you talk about those two lower masses of reflections and to see how you treated their lower edges.

[ThePrairiePounder]

Another simple, yet powerful way to convey our beautiful landscapes. Thanks Ian for your simple and effective teaching, has really helped me see a lot less detail and see the picture to paint after doing my thumbnail.

[nataliehachey]

Great tutorial! The values were all well figured out in the sketch. Very useful!

[jantivel]

Thanks again Ian! This was another spot-on instruction about composition. I now have an understanding about how to rework my many landscape photos with rivers or lakes with an eye toward achieving a dynamic composition.

[dfw]

Thanks. Very helpful demonstration. I have often gotten caught up in the smaller shapes of selections rather than looking for the the bigger shapes that help form the composition. I'll definitely use your suggestion in my next painting with water reflections.

[judyfranklin]

Another very valuable demonstration , I am learning such a lot of very helpful information, Thank you Ian