Where to look for subject matter

Watercolourists are famous for braving severe topography and extreme weather in the quest for the right outdoor location. Time and distance preclude such excursions from most classrooms. But, there are several sources of information that can stimulate productive young artists.

For many teachers the word "photography" is questionable and does not belong in the artist's vocabulary. Yet, if the young artist remembers that he is creating a painting and not another photograph, then photographs can provide a lot of subject matter. Magazines, books and your own photographs might be used without leaving the classroom.

A seaside scene as a right outdoor location.

Such information is only second best and a student or any beginner who paints should know that. Select a photograph from nature which should be the principal part of the composition. Do not try to include everything. Keep it simple. Make sketches from the photo and do not refer to it again except to check values and characteristic detail.

Students make sketches from photographs, as they would from nature and then discard the photo and work from the sketch. Photographs maybe a logical source of information. Slides can also be a useful source to study landscapes and people.

These exercises will help to increase the ability to see large shapes and keep the work simple.

Take a work of art or a photograph of a known landmark and do it over in watercolour or in a contemporary style.

Photographs can provide valuable information regarding the form of light, texture and value, but remember to use it as information and not something to be copied exactly.

Working from sketches causes any artist to interject his own feelings and ideas into his work. Sketches from memory or the imagination, from locations, by travelling to sites and translating these observations into paintings is challenging experience and a real joy.

When your idea is firm, sketch lightly on the sheet and get started. Each artist has his own way to get going and it is always the way that seems comfortable.

Observe the painting I have done. Its a seaside scene with a fisherman's hut.

The centre of interest shows a woman fishmonger with a basket on her head ready to carry the fish. The eye is drawn to a human figure in a landscape and see the two figures on the right seated playing chess and their inclusion can turn to a striking picture. To give more life to the picture, I have introduced a few cockbirds picking food.

A sound painting is made up of beautiful arrangements of values and colour and what helps in arranging the composition is a knowledge of proportions and experience.

The entire painting is done by sable hair No. 2, 6 and 8 brushes and on Kent drawing paper.