Creating Rock Texture in Watercolor – Inspired by a Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

Creating Rock Texture in Watercolor – Inspired by a Cadillac Mountain Sunrise
Painting light, contrast, and texture without overworking your layers

There’s something so grounding about rocks—especially when you’re sitting on a mountaintop, watching the sun rise over the ocean. Cadillac Mountain, in Acadia National Park, is one of my favorite places to soak in that stillness. The rocks there seem to hold the light in the most magical way—especially during those golden early hours.

In watercolor, though, rocks can be tricky. It’s easy to overwork them or make them feel flat. But with a few mindful techniques, you can add texture, contrast, and structure—without losing that loose, natural feel watercolor does best.

Watch the Tutorial on Youtube

Here are a few of my favorite ways to build texture in watercolor rocks: 

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1. Start with a strong value plan

Even before layering texture, the key is contrast. Identify where your darkest shadows and lightest hits will go. I usually begin with a light wash, then slowly build shadows using deeper colors like Payne’s Gray, Raw Umber, or even some subtle Indigo.

2. Layer slowly—glazing is your friend

Let each wash dry completely before adding more detail. Layering transparent glazes allows the natural watercolor granulation to show through, creating depth and subtle variation that reads like real rock.

3. Use dry brushing for rough texture

Once your surface is dry, use the side of a slightly damp brush to drag pigment across the paper. This catches the texture of the paper and creates broken marks—great for rough edges or weathered surfaces.

4. Lift to create light

Before a layer fully dries, you can lift pigment with a clean damp brush, tissue, or even a small scrubber. This helps create highlights or softer edges and mimics the unevenness of sunlit stone.

5. Try scraping or scratching (gently!)

For even more natural texture, use a palette knife or the end of your brush to gently scrape into the damp paint. It’s a great way to mimic cracks or mineral lines. Just go easy—too much can damage the paper.

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In my Sunrise Magic painting, I used a mix of all these techniques to build the rocky foreground while keeping the sky and distant landscape soft and atmospheric. The contrast between bold texture and misty light really helps the scene feel balanced and grounded. You can find the Supply list for this painting there as well. 

If you want a head start, I’ve included a traceable sketch and reference photo for this piece on my Patreon. The full tutorial walks through how I applied each technique in real time—plus how I added a little gold shimmer to catch the light.

But even if you’re not painting this exact scene, I hope this gives you a few new tools to explore. Rock textures are a beautiful way to bring structure into your landscapes—while still staying loose, expressive, and true to the spirit of watercolor.

Happy painting!
💛
Kellie