juliabarminova I’m not really a plein air artist.

Most of my best paintings were created later, quietly, in the studio.
But they would never exist without the time spent outside.
Plein air is where the searching begins.

It’s where I collect those small fleeting stories you can only find by the sea:
watching the wind change the surface of the water,
fishermen or sailing boats slowly coming or leaving the harbour,
and seagulls sounding exactly the same in every language...

Plein Air in Lerici with @followtuscany_

💚🤍❤️

juliabarminova Did you know the most important thing in painting water is the moisture of the paper?

This is exactly what I talk about in my new lessons:
“Understanding Paper Moisture” and “Basic Watercolour Tutorial: Realistic Sea”. Perfect for beginners!

Available on Patreon:
https://patreon.com/juliabarminova

🩵

#watercolor #seascape #tutorial #juliabarminova

juliabarminova For realistic waves in watercolour, work dry on wet: a creamy brush on wet paper, building step by step and keeping the paper moist.

If waves are still challenging, you’re welcome to my next workshop in Madrid, Spain • March 21-22 • Contact @pinceladasdeespana

Full details and booking link are available via the link in my profile.

See you!!! 🐚

juliabarminova The paradox of painting the sea: it looks more real when the watercolours is dry. 💙

#watercolour #seascapepainting #watercolourseascape #paintingthesea

juliabarminova Yes, these are my old paintings.

The only reason my waves look different now
is because I never stopped painting them. 🐚

Which stage are you in?

#juliabarminova #watercolor #seascape

juliabarminova You don’t need much to paint the sea.

⚓️ A small sketchbook with cotton paper, easy to carry and just the right amount of time for a quick sea study.
⚓️ Palette with pre-selected colours and extra opaque white in tube for final bright touches
⚓️ 2–3 brushes:
– a soft brush for washes
– a round synthetic brush with a good point
– an optional angled brush for waves
⚓️ Pencil & kneaded eraser
⚓️ Spray bottle & small jar of water
⚓️ Paper towel

Save this if you enjoy painting the sea outdoors 💙

#juliabarminova #watercolour #pleinair

juliabarminova Most waves fail because the paint is too diluted.
I prefer a creamy mix on a properly wet paper surface. It gives control while keeping the sea’s natural look.

I’ll be teaching this technique in person:

MARCH 14–15 • Switzerland, Lausanne • @artiloft.ch
——————————————————————————
MARCH 21-22 • Spain, Madrid • @pinceladasdeespana
——————————————————————————
APRIL 23–30 • Italy, A Week in Tuscany • @followtuscany_

If you’d like to paint the sea with me, details are in my bio. 💚

juliabarminova Sketching in Belém, Lisbon ⚓️

I recently bought a small 14 × 14 cm watercolour sketchbook with cotton paper, and it changed how often I paint. A small format feels easy to open, no big expectations. 😅

#watercolor #pleinair #sketching #juliabarminova

juliabarminova Inspired by the wild storm season along the Portuguese coast this winter 🌊

juliabarminova Sketching Forte de São Julião da Barra in Carcavelos, Portugal

#portugal #watercolor #seascape #pleinair