
I love water actually. I love painting it and I love watching it. But it wasn't always like that, more of a bit of a struggle really, so as is my way I confronted the issue head on setting about photographing as much water as possible. The non- flash photograph on the left is actually my loo flushing! I later used this photo in an advertising campaign by taking the wine glass shape, Tinting it pink after defining it a bit in photoshop and voila! My client was delighted, though never had a clue how I achieved it!
If you want to paint water you have to study it. Now look carefully at the photograph. Pick out the sparkles, the droplets, note where the water appears opaque and which bits appear almost translucent. Pick out the shadowy areas and pick out the light play. Now if you are really bored, you can get your watercolours out and copy it - without masking fluid - this is where paint bleed can be your very good friend. Don't spend ages, fifteen minutes top, just sketch with your paints dropping in the lights and darks, letting the bleed be your transparentish areas. Other good practice subjects are a glass tumbler with water, a glass vase with water but no flowers. Puddles - with all of this rain we are having puddles are everywhere, make the most of the opportunity! A window with rain running down the outside, a running tap, a puddle of water on a worktop - these are all good subjects for exercising your water muscles.
If you can master water then you can apply it to any painting, whether it be present in the flesh so to speak or not. Puddles can make a garden scene come alive, spills of tea make an afternoon tea scene look human, and rain on a window gives instant atmosphere.


xx As Always Written And Offered In The Spirit Of Love xx