Last Thursday, the Carshalton Art Group hosted a spectacular watercolour painting demonstration by their very own Simon Robin Stephens. Renowned for his evocative watercolour landscape paintings, Simon captivated the audience with his insights into watercolour techniques and his process for creating atmospheric winter scenes.
The Setup
Simon began the demonstration by discussing his materials and tools. He emphasized the importance of using 100% cotton watercolor paper and introduced the group to Rosa watercolors, a brand known for its rich pigments. Simon shared his preference for working wet into wet watercolor to achieve smooth textures and seamless blends.
“I love the versatility this technique provides,” Simon explained as he prepared the paper. He noted that wetting both sides of the paper not only keeps it workable for longer but also prevents buckling. For brushes, Simon highlighted his favorites: hake brushes for broad washes and affordable watercolor tools, including Chinese brushes, for creating fine details.
The First Strokes
The demo began with a radiant backdrop of yellows and oranges, mimicking sunlight breaking through a moody winter sky. Simon demonstrated how to use hake brushes in watercolor to lay down the initial washes, followed by tissue blotting to create the effect of clouds and hazy sunlight.
As he added dramatic blues and purples to the sky, Simon discussed the importance of patience and experimentation when mixing tones. “Watercolor often dries 20% lighter,” he noted, a reminder to carefully balance pigment and water.
Building Texture and Depth
Once the sky was complete, Simon moved on to the midground and foreground, layering in distant trees and icy shadows. Using various watercolor techniques such as splattering, tissue blotting, and scraping with the side of a brush, Simon demonstrated how to create dynamic textures and maintain the loose, fluid quality of the medium.
“Every painting should tell a story,” Simon said, adding that varying brushstrokes and tones keeps the viewer engaged. His inventive use of tools, such as a pasty palette knife, added intriguing textures to the wintry shrubbery in the foreground.
Adding the Finishing Touches
The final stage involved adding a striking foreground tree with a Chinese brush, which Simon praised for its ability to create naturalistic shapes and movement. “The tree should feel alive,” Simon explained as he skilfully varied branch thickness and added subtle details. He cautioned against overworking the painting, a common challenge for watercolour artists: “The beauty of watercolour lies in its spontaneity and lightness.”
Capturing the Wow Factor
The completed watercolour landscape painting was a masterpiece of light and shadow, with a vibrant winter sky and evocative textures. Simon reflected on the process: “Every painting has its ugly stage, but if you persevere, you’ll uncover the magic.”
Key Takeaways for Watercolour Enthusiasts
Simon’s watercolour painting demonstration was not just an inspiring showcase of talent but also an educational experience. Here are some tips he shared:
Wet into Wet Watercolor: Keep the paper moist to achieve smooth blends and seamless transitions.
Use Accessible Tools: Affordable brushes like hake and Chinese brushes can achieve professional results.
Experiment with Texture: Incorporate blotting, splattering, and scraping for added depth.
Find the Wow Factor: Choose subjects that inspire you, as your enthusiasm will shine through in your painting.
Know When to Stop: Avoid overworking to preserve watercolour's unique charm.
Join the Conversation
Feeling inspired by Simon Robin Stephens' techniques for capturing winter scenes in watercolour? Try out these methods and share your creations online. Tag @SimonRobinStephensArt and use the hashtag #WatercolorWinterMagic to connect with other artists!
watch the full demo on our youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@CarshaltonandWallingtonArtGrou
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