Sea Turtle

Make a gradient on the turtle's shell using CT2 and GY3. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Any extra lines and streaks will add to the shell’s texture.

Use strokes and dots of GY3 to create texture on the shell. Follow the lines as your guides. Add CT2 to soften some parts of the texture.

Take HB3 and, using various brush strokes and dots of different sizes darken areas on the shell. Add GY3 to mix the colours together and soften the edges between them. Leave tiny dots on big orange areas to make them look lively.

Use BT1 and AB3 gradient for the belly, chin, and the right flipper. Add AB3 to the bottom edge of the largest flipper. Use BT1 to spread it out.

Cover most flecks on the turtle with GY3. For the top spots on the largest flipper, use CT2 mixed with a bit of GY3 to create a smooth transition. This way, you’ll create light on the flipper’s texture.

To make those spots brown, add HB3 on top of the GY3 layer. Leave some dots orange on the left flipper to show light. Make gradients on bigger dots, such as on the turtle’s face.

Add PV1 over the largest flipper and to the left one. This will help to unite the flippers and empathise light on them. Use PV1 to separate the body from the largest flipper.

Add AB3 to the eye, let it dry, and then use HB3 around the edges of it.

Work on details. With GY3 and HB3, add dots of different sizes throughout the turtle: head, belly, right flipper, shoulder. You can also add some dots with PV1. If you feel like shadows are not dark enough, add an extra layer of HB3 to them. Add some GY3 to the neck to separate it even more from the largest flipper.

Pro tip: A combination of warm and cool colours makes artwork look realistic and balanced.