Underwater Painting Tips

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Friday, 09 June 2023

Written by Tess DiNapoli

You’re looking to try something new, to test your boundaries as an artist or as a professional hobbyist. Underwater painting is the perfect option for those who want to step out of their comfort zones and do something genuinely enjoyable.

But you can’t just start underwater painting just about anywhere, and proper preparation can ensure that you are successful on your first try itself. Here are some tips that are important to ace your first-time underwater painting:

Choose the Location Wisely

Before you start diving in and creating your paintings, you have to figure out where you want to set up camp. Not all waterbodies are made equal, and that’s especially true when it comes to underwater painting. The water quality, surrounding marine life, and even water movements have to be taken into consideration when you’re choosing a location for painting. Even a simple wave has the potential to destroy your artwork, so research beforehand.

You have to make sure that the water isn’t completely cloudy since you do need quite a bit of visibility underwater actually to be painting. If you’re interested in painting live forms, it’s worthwhile to look for a spot where a lot of fish and other aquatic life are present.

Don’t Skimp On Quality Materials

Your materials will completely determine the outcome of your painting, but that doesn’t mean you need to be splashing out money mindlessly. Do a bit of research online into waterproof painting materials, as these are the only kinds of materials you will be using underwater. You also want to read the reviews to make sure you’re not missing out on an important component before buying them.

When you’re looking for the right supplies to invest in, it might be worthwhile just heading to your nearest art supply store and asking the storeowner for their recommendations. This can help you get the right supplies without overspending.

Get Professional Training

Being underwater for long periods is no joke, and you need to have professional training to manage it. Look into diving classes and underwater breathing classes so you can be prepared before going underwater painting. You also need to make sure that you have the correct swimming equipment for the activity. Taking up exercises that can increase your endurance, like cycling, is also a good idea to expand your lung capacity.

A professional instructor can also inform you of the proper safety measures you should be taking in case there’s ever an emergency. It’s essential that you know how to be safe once you’re underwater, as doing otherwise is potentially putting your life at risk.

Make Use of Your Environment

For creative people, inspiration exists everywhere, and that includes underwater too! Once you’re below the waters, don’t hesitate to use anything and everything as inspiration for your painting. Whether it’s the school of fish passing right by you or the lone sea moss floating above you.

Play with the lights and shadows, distortions, and even your perception of space within the water. Things are bound to be different underwater, but that doesn’t mean that you need to shy away from making use of your natural environment.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Whether it’s with textures, types of paints, or even the surface you’re using, do not be afraid to experiment. The greatest paintings come out of experimentation, and you should take this opportunity to really do things that you wouldn’t do otherwise. You could even make use of what you find underwater directly in your paintings, and it’s going to take a little bit of trial and error to figure out what you can really do underwater.

It might take a few sessions underwater for you to truly understand how you can make the most out of any painting, and that should be fine. Nobody excels with underwater painting the first time, so don’t expect that from yourself, either!

Do It With A Friend

A solo activity is made more enjoyable when you expand it to include more people. Ask your friends, family, and even colleagues to come along with you to try out something new. You just might be surprised at how much bonding you can get while you’re underwater. Make it a group activity and bring along snacks so you can review each other’s paintings when outside.

You can also look online and find group sessions for underwater painting, especially in coastal areas where activities like this are quite common. Join a group and learn more about painting and the local aquatic life.

Focus On Quality

When you want to make sure your underwater paintings truly reflect your dedication and sincerity, you have to focus on the quality and not the quantity of the paintings. It might take you more than one session to get the right painting underwater but don’t give up and move on. Choose to work on that painting until you truly feel satisfied with it.

Once you know the foundation of underwater painting, take a few attempts at it so you can understand your own learning curve. Once you know what aspects you’re comfortable with and what you’re being challenged by, you can start getting better day by day. Try out underwater painting to experience a new world from a different set of eyes!

Author Bio: Tess DiNapoli is an artist, lifestyle writer, and content strategist who loves exploring new places. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and the world of fitness.

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