Create a white pointer shark painting in oils

In this lesson we will be painting an imposing white pointer shark with Oil Paint.

Step 1: Drawing the Shark

Draw the Shark using a Mont Marte Graphite Pencil. The body is a basic football shape and the fins are elongated triangles. We have provided an image of the shark for your reference on the the last page of this document.

Then paint over the pencil lines using the #8 Round Brush and Black Acrylic Paint. This technique is used so the Shark is still visible after the background is painted. Allow the paint to dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 2: Painting the Background

Using the Stainless Steel Brush Washers, create a mix of 1 part Ultramarine and 3 parts Gloss Medium and in the other Brush Washer, mix 1 part Cerulean Blue and 3 parts Gloss Medium. Paint the Cerulean Blue using the 75 mm Wide Taklon Brush. Then on the bottom third of the canvas blend the Ultramarine into the Cerulean. Allow this to dry and repeat the process another two times.

Step 3: Mixing Oil Colours

Mix the following Colours on the Easy Clean Palette using a #10 Palette Knife. These shall be used on the Shark

Turquoise: 6 parts Phthalo Blue, 4 parts Viridian,1 part White and 1 part Black

Grey Green: 4 parts Sap Green, 3 parts Ultramarine and 3 parts White

Dark Grey: 4 parts Black, 3 parts White and 1 part Scarlet

Pink: 2 parts White to 1 part Scarlet

Then squeeze out some Black, White and Ultramarine.

Step 4: Painting the Blocks of Colour

The Shark has been broken up into approximately 6 main colours, a colour placement guide has been provided on the last page of this document.

When painting, leave a 5 mm gap between each block of colour. This makes it easier to blend them later on. Remember to use a different Brush for each colour.

Step 5: Blending

Use the 25 mm Taklon brush to blend the colours together, wipe the brush every now and then to keep the tip clean. You can blend the colours until you are happy with the transition.

Step 6: Adding Details

Using the pink mix, paint in the gum area around the teeth. Then add Black to the appropriate areas such as eyes, mouth, nostrils and the little fish in the background. You can also add some white highlights along the fins and on the top of our shark. Now all that is left is to stand back and admire you masterpiece.