Reflections in water can be similar to reflections in a smooth mirror.
Painting reflections in water is similar to painting reflections on any mirrored surface. One difference with water, however, is that waves and ripples can cause distortion in the reflected image, leaving you confused on best capture these effects realistically. To paint water reflections you should use the same colors and paints you mixed for the sky and landscape elements but adjusted to create the illusion of still or moving water. This technique can be used in any painting medium, including oil, acrylic and watercolor.
Instructions
1. Mix colors for all areas of the painting that will be reflected from the water's surface, including sky, trees, rocks and other landscape elements.
2. Paint all elements of the scene that are to be reflected from the water. Keep track of which mixed paints were used in which portions of the painting. Save enough mixed paint for the water reflections.
3. Mix a small amount of Prussian blue and ivory black paint on your palette. Test that the resulting color is a dark blue-gray, not too blue and not too black.
4. Add a small amount of the Prussian blue and ivory black mixture to all of your remaining landscape colors. These colors should now appear slightly darker and more gray than the original versions.
5. Paint reflections in the water that mirror the original objects and landscape elements using your now grayed colors. Be very precise in how accurately you copy the reflected objects. You may find it useful to invert your canvas for more accurate results.
6. Drag a clean blending brush across the painted water surface to simulate the appearance of ripples. Work left to right, then right to left, moving down the canvas until you reach the bottom edge of the water. Allow the painting to dry completely but keep your mixed colors on the palette wet by covering with plastic wrap until ready to proceed. If you are using oils, put them covered into a freezer.
7. Add the darker sections of water that do not reflect sky or landscape elements. Mix more Prussian blue and ivory black into the paint remaining on your palette originally used for the water reflections, at each area of the water surface. Paint these bands and ripples with hard edges and do not blend them. A palette knife can also be used instead of a brush.
