Indispensable Tips On How To Paint A Watercolor Nocturne

There is something so peaceful about nighttime. In fact, there was a period of time when my kids were really young and life was so full that I the only time I could get out for walks was after sundown. I was surprised how serene and quiet, how reflective these times could be.

So it's no wonder I am attracted to scenes that depict this time - the evening, dusk, or even late into the night.

What is a Nocturne?

You may have heard this term - nocturne - used to describe a piece of piano music that conjures up the feelings and images related to night.  In the context of a painting, a nocturne is a scene that depicts the night or twilight. 

Here are a couple examples of nocturnes I have painted in the past.

What Supplies Do I Need?

I am painting on Saunders Waterford Cold Press 140lb paper, and I have my surface tilted to 35 degrees.

I use a variety of brands of brushes, but I mainly stick to a large mop, medium round and smaller synthetic brush with a point.

Here are the list of pigments on my palette:

• Burnt Sienna
• Cadmium Red
• Cadmium Yellow Medium
• Cerulean Blue
• Cobalt Blue Cobalt
• Teal Blue
• Cobalt Turquoise
• Lavender
• Neutral Tint
• Payne's Gray
• Quinacridone Gold
• Raw Sienna
• Raw Sienna Light
• Raw Umber
• Rose Madder Permanent
• Ultramarine Blue

If you would like to purchase some of the brushes I feature in this video you can take a look at my Amazon Affiliate link: https://www.amazon.com/shop/m.white.art

How Do I Paint a Nocturne?

For a step-by-step explanation and tutorial on how to paint a nocturne, click on the video at the top of this page. 

Here are some pictures that guide you through the three washes I used to create this scene:

Keys to Painting a Nocturne

So, what makes a great watercolor nocturne?

The keys to a successful nighttime scene are:

• Mixing up a really rich mixture of paint (easier done with tube paints than pan paints)
• Don't be afraid to add an additional glaze to areas that aren't quite dark enough
• Push your values, achieving very dark darks and the lightest lights

I wish you luck and welcome you to try your hand at this scene as you follow my video tutorial!

Related Blogs

How to Paint a Night Scene in Watercolor

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Mastering Warm Realistic Light: A Watercolor Tutorial for Captivating Art