juliabarminova I call this method ‘Dry-on-Wet’, which means ‘Dry paint on wet paper’.

And then my hater says: “There is no such thing as dry watercolour.” 🧐

And I reply: oh, but there is.

First, I wet the paper, and only then I apply the paint literally without water. It stays dry on the damp surface, and the magic begins when the pigment mixes with water directly on the paper ‘not on the palette’ creating soft transitions, depth and movement.

If you’d like to see the full process step by step, I explain this technique in detail on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/juliabarminova

Trust me, it’s the secret to capturing the majestic movement of the Ocean!

Give it a try!! 🌊

#seascape #watercolor

juliabarminova There are so many that I paint them small. 320 illustrations are done already — and the ocean still has countless stories for me to discover.

#visitportugal #watercolor #cascais

juliabarminova When painting the Sea in watercolour, shadows on the water have their own rhythm: sometimes soft, sometimes sharp.

By juggling the paper’s moisture, it’s easy to achieve the right effect once you understand the moment to paint clear reflections and the moment to keep the water shadows soft.

And if you’ve been watching my videos for a while, you probably already know how to paint the Sea too. 😅

#watercolor #watercolortutorial #seascape

juliabarminova The Sea always looks so complicated, until you know where to start.
For me, it’s all about the right order: highlights first, then the Sea, reflections, and only at the very end the boats or any other object.

1️⃣ Highlights first.
Plan and mask them before the first wash, that’s how they stay clean and bright.

2️⃣ Main wash.
Paint the Sea dry-on-wet, keeping all tones connected. Work section by section if it’s complex.

3️⃣ Reflections.
Add them only after the paper dries, they need sharp edges and contrast.

4️⃣ Objects.
Boats are just details, not the main story. I add them last, a bit more abstract.

It’s always the same order and it always works!

Watch the full 1.5-hour lesson on Patreon 🩵 the link is in my bio.

#watercolor #watercolortutorial #seascapes

juliabarminova From the waves I sail to the waves I paint 🌊

#sailing #rolexregatta #watercolor #cascais #portugal

juliabarminova What else but you, the Sea, and your palette?

📍Plein air in Baleal, Portugal, one of the world’s most iconic surf spots. 🏄🏻‍♂️ 🌊

#watercolor #seascape #pleinair #surf #baleal #portugal

juliabarminova It’s my birthday today! 🎂

And honestly, what could be a better way to celebrate than doing what I love most: painting the sea 🌊 (this time with a little too much sea involved 😅). Who needs a studio when you have the Atlantic? You’ve never really painted wet-on-wet until you’ve tried this!

Life, like watercolour, is always a bit unpredictable, and that’s what makes it exciting. Cheers to another year full of waves, splashes and colours! 💙

juliabarminova I’ve just recorded this tutorial as a full 1-hour video on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/juliabarminova

You can get it separately, or as part of my >>How to Paint the Sea course<< with 17 other lessons included in the subscription 🌊💙
Link in bio and happy painting!

juliabarminova My key secret: the one and only ❤️‍🔥

Most beginners make the same mistake, they add too much water into the paint. But for waves, the water should already be on the paper, not in your brush, that’s how you get those natural soft edges between light and shadow.

Use pigment as rich and dry as possible, and let the wet surface do the magic.
Be inspired and follow me for more sea tips!

Julia,
With love and salt in the air. 😘

juliabarminova This is how I paint the Sea in a one wash Dry-on-Wet: no layering, just transparency and soft transitions. Wanna try? 🌊

#watercolor #seascape #sailing

juliabarminova Have you ever tried sketching the Sea right on the beach? It’s fun 💙

#watercolour #sketching #seascape #pleinair #portugal