8956 Seashore
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

Rolling ocean waves sweep onto a peaceful sandy shoreline as a distant sailboat glides across the water between rugged coastal rock formations beneath a soft atmospheric sky. The gentle surf, glowing reflections, and misty distance create a calm and dramatic seascape filled with movement and coastal beauty. In this beginner skill level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry guides you step-by-step through creating this beautiful ocean scene in a 59 minute session on an 18x24 canvas.

You’ll learn how to build a strong seascape composition using rocky shorelines, wave movement, and distant atmospheric elements to naturally guide the viewer’s eye through the painting. Jerry demonstrates how to block in the major shapes first, then gradually refine details while maintaining softness and depth throughout the scene.

Special focus is given to painting ocean waves, surf, shoreline reflections, wet sand, rocky coastal textures, and atmospheric distance using layered color, blending, and controlled brushwork. You’ll also explore how to create realistic movement in the water while balancing light and shadow across the seascape.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting coastal scenery, wave action, and reflective shoreline effects while learning how to combine atmosphere and composition into a unified seascape painting. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to strengthen their acrylic painting skills while producing a calm and visually engaging ocean landscape.