What color water?

[stuartmit]

For a slow River through industrial area, what color does it appear? A sort of greenish brown?  How do you achieve that look? 

[fifedog]

Might want to be more specific, as far as local. I model the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia and western Maryland. From the river banks the water appears dark green. Yet, from above, the water has a bluish-green turquoise appearance (especially from mid Winter to Spring). And since I look down, I went with the latter.

As far as technique, I like a little tan feathered in along the shore, with olive green on the river bed. Also, put in a brunswick green (or black) to represent deeper pockets. Then I apply artist gloss medium evenly across the surface. I do this several times to get the right "depth" look, even feathering in more color where needed.

[stuartmit]

i certainly recognize brunswick green but if i use house latex paint is that a color i will find?   Probably dont have to be that precise.  a darkish green will probab;y do, and then have a  little mixed with black for some darker areas?  But I want to avoid sharp differences in color, irght?

 new at this art stuff--how best to smoothly marry tan to the green in gradual transition?  maybe there is a utube video! There is for everything else.

[fifedog]

Check out artist acrylics at any craft store. A little goes a long way. Or you could use Poly-S model paints. Avoid solvent based paints, if you can. Practice on a scrap piece.