Paint four seashells in watercolour

Dip into this simple watercolour project and follow along as we step you through how to create your very own watercolour seashells painting.

Whether you choose to frame your finished artwork and gift it to a friend, spruce up a bedroom or if you're just looking to have a play with watercolours, take some time out, and get creative with this fun project. 

Print out the outline of the shells and trace the shapes onto tracing paper with a graphite pencil.

Then use a fine liner pen and draw over the graphite.

Mix a beige with Chinese White, Burnt Sienna and a touch of Vermillion and paint this into the first shell, leaving a small area above the scalloping for highlights.

Mix in more Burnt Sienna to the mix and paint this onto the second shell.

Grab paper towel and use it to remove the excess colour in a stripe. These two bands will be for highlights.

Dip into Gamboge and cover the third shell, then push and pull any puddles.

Blot four small areas toward the top for highlights while the paint is still wet.

Dip into Gamboge for the fourth shell, pushing and pulling any puddles.

Blot the shell using paper towel several times towards the top.

Mix Burnt Sienna with Gamboge and layer onto the first shell.

Dip into Sienna and add darker bands of shadow to the top and middle.

Use Sienna to continue to add in subtle shadows to the third shell around the middle, stretching out to the edges.

Add Sienna to the fourth shell, towards the bottom.

Build up a darker brown with Sienna and Burnt Umber and add subtle patterned splotches to the first shell.

Use the same colour to add darker stripes for the second shell, leaving the white band exposed for highlights.

Mix Sienna with a little Vermillion and add to the bottom of the third shell.

Push and pull any puddles and use a small piece of paper towel to absorb any excess water.

Use Burnt Umber and a touch of Vermillion to darken any areas you need to build dimension and add tone.

Add any extra definition with straight Burnt Umber and any final shading.

All done! You're ready to show off your new masterpiece.

If you try this project, we'd love to see it! Snap a photo and #montmarteart or tag us on Instagram or Facebook @montmarteart.