Amazing Underwater Black Horse Painting | Easy Acrylic Painting Tutorial #shorts

Step-by-Step Acrylic Painting Instructions – Part 1

A powerful black horse racing beneath glowing blue water creates an unforgettable combination of movement, mystery, and dramatic lighting. In this tutorial we’ll use only five acrylic colors and a few carefully selected URARTSTUDIO brushes to build this striking underwater scene.

In Part 1, we’ll paint the underwater background, create the glowing light, develop the atmospheric water effects, sketch the horse, establish the dark silhouette, and begin modeling the face and body with subtle blue highlights.

Canvas

12 x 14 inch canvas

Colors

Titanium White

Mars Black

Ultramarine Blue

Phthalo Blue

Dioxazine Violet

Brushes Used in Part 1

Big Oval Brush – for painting and blending the underwater background.

Ultra Soft Blending Brush – for creating soft glowing underwater atmosphere.

6 Filbert Brushes (medium size) – for sketching and building the horse.

Step 1 — Prepare Your Canvas

Place your 12 × 14 inch canvas on your easel.

Arrange the five colors on your palette exactly as shown.

Starting from the top:

Mars Black

Dioxazine Violet

Phthalo Blue

Ultramarine Blue

Titanium White

Keeping the colors in this arrangement makes mixing much easier as the painting progresses.

Step 2 — Paint the First Background

Load the Big Oval Brush with Ultramarine Blue together with a small amount of Mars Black.

Beginning along both outside edges of the canvas, paint long vertical strokes from top to bottom.

Leave the center of the canvas almost untouched.

This bright opening will become the underwater light.

Work quickly while the paint remains wet.

The vertical brush strokes immediately establish the direction of the underwater lighting.

Step 3 — Deepen the Water

Without cleaning the brush completely, introduce more Ultramarine Blue together with small touches of Phthalo Blue.

Continue painting the outer edges.

Allow the two blues to blend naturally on the canvas.

Notice that the background isn’t completely smooth.

Visible brush strokes help suggest moving water.

Avoid overworking the paint.

Step 4 — Create the Underwater Glow

Load the Big Oval Brush with Phthalo Blue mixed with Titanium White.

Apply this mixture directly into the untouched center of the canvas.

Blend outward toward the darker blues using long vertical strokes.

Keep the brightest area near the upper center.

Gradually soften the transition as the light moves downward.

At this point the background should resemble beams of light passing through deep water.

Step 5 — Build Atmospheric Water

Continue using the Big Oval Brush.

Begin lightly stippling and scrubbing the lighter blue into the darker background using circular movements.

Rather than covering the surface evenly, allow irregular cloudy patches to appear.

These broken textures become the first underwater currents and drifting underwater haze.

Occasionally pick up a touch of Titanium White to brighten selected areas.

Step 6 — Add Underwater Mist

Continue working with the Big Oval Brush.

Using gentle circular motions, build additional soft cloudy forms around both sides of the glowing center.

Keep the center brighter while allowing darker blue sections to remain visible around the outside edges.

These variations create tremendous depth.

Instead of looking flat, the water begins feeling endless.

Step 7 — Blend the Background

Switch to the Ultra Soft Blending Brush.

Using extremely light pressure, softly feather the entire background.

Move the brush in gentle circular motions.

Avoid pressing into the paint.

The long silky bristles naturally soften harsh transitions while preserving the beautiful color variations created with the Big Oval Brush.

This step transforms the background into soft glowing underwater atmosphere.

Step 8 — Sketch the Horse

Switch to a medium Filbert Brush from the 6 Filbert Brushes set.

Mix Mars Black with Ultramarine Blue.

Using the narrow edge of the Filbert Brush, begin drawing the horse with loose flowing strokes.

Start with the top of the head.

Continue down the neck.

Add the front chest.

Sketch both front legs.

Finally indicate the flowing mane.

Don’t worry about accuracy yet.

The goal is simply to establish the movement and overall proportions.

Step 9 — Block In the Horse

Continue using the same Filbert Brush.

Fill the horse with the same mixture of Mars Black and Ultramarine Blue.

Paint confidently using the broad face of the brush.

The rounded shape of the filbert naturally creates smooth muscle transitions without producing stiff edges.

Leave the mane loose and unfinished.

We’ll develop it later.

Step 10 — Refine the Silhouette

Using the edge of the Filbert Brush, reshape the ears, forehead, muzzle, neck, chest, shoulders and legs.

Begin correcting the anatomy.

Notice that the horse is intentionally painted almost entirely as one dark silhouette.

Avoid adding highlights too early.

Strong values create the dramatic mood of the finished painting.

Step 11 — Create the Flowing Mane

Load the Filbert Brush with fresh dark paint.

Using quick upward flicking motions, pull long strokes outward from the neck.

Each stroke should become thinner as you lift the brush away from the canvas.

Vary the direction of the strokes.

Some should curve upward.

Others should sweep sideways.

The irregular movement immediately creates the illusion of hair floating beneath the water.

Step 12 — Refine the Head

Continue with the Filbert Brush.

Shape the forehead.

Refine the muzzle.

Strengthen the cheek.

Adjust the neck where necessary.

At this stage, work only with large shapes.

Do not paint the eye or other fine details.

The horse should remain mysterious.

Step 13 — Add the First Blue Highlights

Without changing brushes, mix Ultramarine Blue with Phthalo Blue and a touch of Titanium White.

Apply this mixture sparingly to:

• the forehead
• bridge of the nose
• cheek
• neck
• shoulder
• chest
• upper front leg

Blend immediately into the darker paint.

These first highlights simply establish the direction of the underwater light.

The horse should still appear predominantly black.

Step 14 — Evaluate Your Painting

By the end of Part 1, you should have:

• A dramatic glowing underwater background.
• Soft atmospheric blue water.
• A powerful black horse silhouette.
• A flowing underwater mane.
• Basic facial structure.
• First cool blue highlights establishing the form.

Don’t worry if the painting still appears unfinished.

In Part 2, we’ll continue refining the anatomy, strengthen the highlights, develop the underwater movement around the horse, and begin adding the beautiful floating particles that give this painting its magical underwater atmosphere.

How to Paint an Underwater Black Horse in Acrylics

Step-by-Step Acrylic Painting Instructions – Part 2

In Part 1, we completed the underwater background, established the dramatic silhouette of the horse, and added the first cool blue highlights. In this lesson, we’ll transform that simple silhouette into a powerful, lifelike horse by developing the flowing mane, refining the anatomy, strengthening the lighting, and adding depth to the body.

Step 15 — Soften the Horse’s Body

Using the Big Oval Brush, lightly dab across portions of the horse’s body with almost no pressure.

Instead of brushing, gently tap the surface.

This softens the hard edges left by the Filbert Brush and creates a velvety texture that helps the horse blend naturally into the surrounding water.

Avoid touching the face at this stage. Keep the facial features crisp while allowing the body to become softer and more atmospheric.

Step 16 — Build the Mane

Continue using the Big Oval Brush.

Starting behind the ears, flick the brush outward with quick, confident motions.

Each stroke should begin firmly against the horse’s neck and gradually lift away from the canvas.

This produces long, tapered strands that appear to float naturally underwater.

Vary the direction of every stroke.

Some strands should sweep upward while others curve outward or backward.

Do not make the mane uniform.

The more random the movement, the more realistic it becomes.

Step 17 — Extend the Mane

Reload the Big Oval Brush with a fresh mixture of Mars Black and Ultramarine Blue.

Continue adding additional layers of flowing hair.

Allow some strands to overlap while others disappear into the blue background.

Leaving small openings between the strokes allows the glowing water to show through, making the mane appear translucent beneath the water.

Work around the entire crest of the neck until the mane feels full of motion.

Step 18 — Refine the Face

Switch to a medium Filbert Brush from the 6 Filbert Brushes set.

Mix Mars Black with Ultramarine Blue.

Refine the horse’s forehead, muzzle, jawline, cheeks, and ears.

Instead of outlining everything, think about sculpting the forms with broad brush strokes.

The horse should still remain mostly in shadow.

Step 19 — Define the Eye Area

Continue with the Filbert Brush.

Using the narrow edge of the brush, strengthen the shadow around the eye socket.

Refine the bridge of the nose.

Separate the muzzle slightly from the rest of the face using subtle value changes instead of hard outlines.

Keep every edge soft.

The mystery of the painting comes from allowing parts of the horse to disappear into the darkness.

Step 20 — Strengthen the Mane

Return to the Big Oval Brush.

Using quick upward flicking motions, add another layer of long hair extending beyond the original silhouette.

Some strokes should overlap previous layers while others should extend farther into the surrounding water.

This second layer gives the mane tremendous movement and volume.

Because the Big Oval Brush naturally tapers toward its rounded tip, every stroke ends with a beautiful fine point.

Step 21 — Begin the Underwater Lighting

Switch back to the Filbert Brush.

Mix Ultramarine Blue with Phthalo Blue and a touch of Titanium White.

Begin adding soft highlights to the horse’s forehead.

Continue down the bridge of the nose.

Blend the paint immediately into the surrounding dark values.

These highlights should remain soft and cool.

Avoid creating bright white highlights.

Everything should still feel submerged beneath the water.

Step 22 — Model the Head

Using the same Filbert Brush, continue strengthening the form of the face.

Add subtle highlights to:

• the forehead
• upper cheek
• bridge of the nose
• jaw
• muzzle

Blend each highlight gently into the surrounding dark paint.

The goal is to reveal the shape without destroying the dramatic silhouette.

Step 23 — Develop the Neck

Continue using the same blue highlight mixture.

Apply long sweeping strokes down the front of the neck.

Blend toward the darker shoulder.

The neck should appear muscular while remaining soft and atmospheric.

Remember that underwater lighting rarely creates sharp reflections.

Everything should remain diffused.

Step 24 — Shape the Chest

Apply slightly brighter highlights along the upper chest and shoulder.

Use the flat side of the Filbert Brush.

Blend the edges while the paint remains wet.

Notice how these cool blue highlights begin separating the horse from the dark background without making it appear flat.

Step 25 — Build the Front Legs

Using the edge of the Filbert Brush, strengthen the front leg nearest the viewer.

Introduce soft blue highlights along the front edge while leaving the back edge much darker.

Repeat the process on the second leg.

These subtle value changes immediately create the illusion of rounded muscles beneath the skin.

Step 26 — Refine the Body

Continue adding broad blue highlights across the shoulder, rib cage, and upper body.

Keep the light concentrated on the side facing the underwater glow.

Allow the opposite side to remain almost completely black.

This strong contrast creates the dramatic lighting that makes the horse appear powerful and three-dimensional.

Step 27 — Evaluate the Horse

Step back from your painting.

At this stage your horse should now have:

• a flowing underwater mane
• realistic head proportions
• stronger anatomy
• soft blue underwater highlights
• better muscle definition
• smooth transitions between light and shadow

Although the painting already feels much more complete, the underwater environment is still missing one important element.

In Part 3, we’ll create floating underwater particles, drifting bubbles, glowing atmospheric textures, splatter effects, and the final finishing touches that make the horse appear completely submerged beneath the water.

How to Paint an Underwater Black Horse in Acrylics

Step-by-Step Acrylic Painting Instructions – Part 3

In Part 2, we transformed the horse from a simple silhouette into a powerful underwater subject by refining its anatomy, strengthening the mane, and adding cool blue highlights. In this lesson, we’ll complete the underwater environment by adding drifting particles, glowing bubbles, soft atmospheric effects, and sparkling light that makes the horse appear completely submerged.

Brushes Used in Part 3

Big Square Brush #1 – for creating underwater textures.

Ultra Soft Blending Brush – for softening underwater particles.

Big Oval Brush – for blending atmospheric effects.

Palette Knife – for creating tiny bubbles and floating particles.

Fan Brush Synthetic Bristles – for splattering tiny underwater particles.

Round Brush – for refining small highlights and finishing details.

Step 28 — Create the First Underwater Texture

Switch to Big Square Brush #1.

Mix Titanium White with a small amount of Phthalo Blue.

Remove most of the paint onto a paper towel.

Using very light pressure, gently tap the brush against the right side of the background.

Instead of painting solid shapes, allow the square bristles to leave broken irregular marks.

These textured impressions begin creating suspended underwater particles.

Repeat the process near the lower right side of the horse.

Leave plenty of dark blue visible between the textures.

Step 29 — Continue Building the Water

Reload the Big Square Brush #1.

Continue tapping random clusters around the lower right portion of the painting.

Gradually allow some of the textures to move upward.

Vary both the pressure and the amount of paint.

Some areas should remain barely visible while others become brighter.

Natural underwater textures are always irregular.

Avoid repeating identical patterns.

Step 30 — Build the Bubble Columns

Continue with the same brush.

Using the corner of the square brush, create loose vertical groupings of broken white-blue marks.

Allow these clusters to rise toward the upper portion of the canvas.

Keep each group slightly different in width.

Imagine small underwater bubbles drifting naturally toward the surface.

Step 31 — Blend the Background

Switch to the Ultra Soft Blending Brush.

With extremely light pressure, softly feather portions of the new textures.

Do not blend everything.

Some particles should remain crisp while others disappear softly into the water.

This variation creates much greater depth.

Step 32 — Add Atmospheric Glow

Switch to the Big Oval Brush.

Load only a tiny amount of Phthalo Blue mixed with Titanium White.

Using gentle circular motions, lightly blend around the bubble columns.

This creates glowing halos around the underwater particles.

Keep the movement loose and natural.

The goal is to soften—not erase—the textures created with the square brush.

Step 33 — Build Additional Underwater Movement

Continue with the Big Oval Brush.

Using almost dry paint, lightly dab around portions of the horse.

Concentrate on the lower body, chest, and areas surrounding the mane.

These soft textures help integrate the horse into the surrounding water.

The transition between subject and background should become increasingly subtle.

Step 34 — Brighten the Water

Mix a little more Titanium White into the blue mixture.

With the Big Oval Brush, gently tap several brighter areas around the bubble columns.

Avoid making every area equally bright.

Random variations create a much more believable underwater scene.

Step 35 — Create Tiny Floating Particles

Pick up the Palette Knife.

Place a small amount of Titanium White along the edge of the blade.

Hold the knife almost parallel to the canvas.

Very lightly touch the surface, allowing tiny irregular deposits of paint to remain.

Scatter these marks throughout the glowing center and surrounding water.

These delicate deposits resemble microscopic underwater particles floating in suspension.

Less is more.

Do not overfill the painting.

Step 36 — Add Sparkling Bubble Highlights

Switch to the Fan Brush Synthetic Bristles.

Dip only the tips of the synthetic bristles into slightly thinned Titanium White.

Hold the brush above the painting.

Lightly tap the handle with your finger.

A fine spray of tiny dots will fall across the canvas.

Concentrate most of the splatter near the illuminated center while allowing a few particles to drift into the darker water.

These tiny specks create the illusion of countless bubbles suspended beneath the surface.

Step 37 — Refine the Brightest Particles

Switch to the Round Brush.

Using Titanium White mixed with a tiny amount of Phthalo Blue, selectively strengthen a few individual bubbles.

Place small highlights inside some of the larger textured areas.

Keep them random.

Only a handful should receive additional emphasis.

These brighter accents naturally attract the viewer’s eye.

Step 38 — Final Atmospheric Blending

Return briefly to the Ultra Soft Blending Brush.

Very lightly feather a few areas surrounding the brightest particles.

Avoid touching the bubbles themselves.

Only soften the surrounding glow.

This creates beautiful depth and makes the particles appear suspended within the water rather than sitting on the surface of the canvas.

Step 39 — Final Inspection

Step back several feet from your painting.

Check the overall balance.

The underwater light should remain strongest near the upper center.

The horse should emerge dramatically from the surrounding darkness.

The mane should appear weightless and flowing.

The bubble columns should naturally guide the viewer’s eye upward.

Finally, sign your painting with the Round Brush using Titanium White.

Congratulations! Your underwater black horse painting is now complete.

By combining a limited five-color palette with carefully layered textures, soft blending, and dramatic lighting, you’ve created a powerful underwater composition full of movement, mystery, and atmosphere.

Looking closely at the screenshots, Part 3 actually finishes the painting. There isn’t enough material for another painting section. After Part 3, what you normally do in your URARTSTUDIO tutorials is add a Final Thoughts section rather than invent additional painting steps.

Here’s the continuation in the same style we’ve used before:

Final Thoughts

Your underwater black horse painting is now complete.

Using only five acrylic colors—Titanium White, Mars Black, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, and Dioxazine Violet—you’ve created a dramatic underwater composition filled with movement, glowing light, and beautiful atmospheric effects.

Although the color palette was intentionally limited, careful layering, blending, and value control produced a wide range of rich blues and subtle transitions that give the painting remarkable depth.

One of the most important aspects of this painting is resisting the temptation to add too many details. Much of the mystery comes from allowing portions of the horse to disappear into the surrounding water while carefully controlling where the brightest highlights attract the viewer’s attention.

The flowing mane, diffused underwater lighting, drifting particles, and suspended bubbles work together to create the illusion that the horse is moving gracefully beneath the surface.

Remember that every underwater painting is unique. Slight variations in your blending, brush pressure, and placement of bubbles will give your artwork its own personality.

If your background becomes too dark, simply reintroduce lighter blue mixtures with the Big Oval Brush, soften them with the Ultra Soft Blending Brush, and continue building the glow gradually. Acrylic paint is very forgiving and allows you to make adjustments throughout the painting process.

If your horse loses definition, avoid outlining it with black. Instead, strengthen the form by adding carefully blended blue highlights along the areas facing the underwater light. This creates a much more natural and realistic appearance.

When creating the bubbles and underwater textures, remember that less is often more. A few well-placed bright particles are much more effective than covering the entire painting with white speckles. Leaving open areas of deep blue water gives the eye a place to rest and enhances the feeling of depth.

Take a moment to step back from your painting and view it from several feet away. You’ll notice how the dramatic lighting, soft atmosphere, and flowing movement become much more convincing when seen from a distance.

Most importantly, enjoy the creative process. Every brushstroke helps develop your understanding of color, light, texture, and composition. With each painting, you’ll become more confident in creating your own unique underwater scenes and expressive wildlife artwork.

We hope you enjoyed following this tutorial. Continue practicing these techniques, experiment with different color combinations and subjects, and don’t be afraid to make the painting your own.

Happy Painting!