A Review about Painting Water

Painting All Aspects of Water for all Mediums by: E. John Robinson  (available at the Sandy Library)

I’ve only just begun to read the first chapter in this book and I have already fallen in love with the author.  He’s very knowledgeable in the characteristics of water and how it behaves.  I will share with you a few things I have learned about water that I can relate to even though I never studied the qualities of water.

1.      Water is always level on the ground.  It can be diagonal, or vertical in appearance if it is a waterfall or rain runoff.

2.      Water changes it’s physical shape to fit into certain spaces.

3.      Water is a reflecting agent much like a mirror or sheet of glass

4.      Water is often transparent and it can move with gravity

5.      Shallow water of a lake is more transparent than deeper waters of an ocean

6.      The surface of the water reflects a path of light that:  ALWAYS comes towards the viewer.  If it goes off in another direction, it leads the viewer’s eye right out of the painting.

7.      It reflects the colors above and below it depending on how shallow it is

8.      A mirror image reflection:

a.       Carries the colors, values and shapes of the objects it is reflecting

b.      If the object, such as a rock, is slanted, the reflection can be refracted into a different direction

c.       The size of the object equals the reflection on the water, however, you do not measure the objects reflection from the bank of a river, but from the base of the object itself, towards the water.  i.e. a tree measures from the base to the top=3”, the reflection will measure 3” from the base of the object down into the water.  Which basically means; you may only see 1” of the objects reflection.  The other 2” maybe a shadow or nothing at all.

d.      The reflection should be an exact duplicate of the object if the water is completely smooth

9.      A slanted object, such as the hull of a ship, reflects in the opposite direction, but moves towards the viewer.  The water “sees” more of the hull than the viewer, so the reflection will be extended and have more details than what the viewer sees from above.

10.  Rippling water distorts the reflection but is measured exactly the same as “C” above.  However, the refection will be quite different in appearance.  Edges of the reflections become wavy and darker values can begin to mingle with lighter ones.  Strong ripples introduce only the sky and background colors, very little, if any detail.

11.  Extended Reflections or bouncing, choppy water reflections caused by waves in the water, will bounce the reflection on top of the water, but introduce darker sky colors between the waves.  Here the darker values and lighter values can completely reverse or be together creating more interest.

12.  Choppy waters may be in isolated locations or over the entire painting creating lost and found edges which allow the sky color or colors from below the water to mingle, depending on the depth of the water.

13.  The color of an object is nearly identical to the reflection if the water is smooth.  Choppy water can distort the colors quite a bit.  i.e. white becomes a faded, soft yellow in appearance. 

14.  Scattered light dancing over the water creates interest, but a glare is when a wave reflects intense light directly into the viewer’s eye.  It is a concentration of light, not sparkles dancing.  i.e. larger white areas versus a splattered effect.  Reserve white areas to suggest the movement of water in shallower waters.  Especially around rocks, where the water moves in and out and around the base of the rocks.
15.  Water holds the reflected shadows of an object, directly below the object such as boulders and fallen tree trunks.  

Most of this information we already know from experience, but when listed like this, it refreshes our memories.  Hope these notes help you with your painting water in the future.  I will add more notes as I continue reading this wonderful book.  

Watercolor Mosaic Workshop by Mary Pusey-Updated 8-19

Mark your calendars for September 19th and sign up for Mary Pusey's awesome new workshop, "Watercolor Mosaics".

This workshop will be held at the Sandy Senior Center, 9:30-4:00 and the cost is only $35 for members and $50 for non-members.  Payments can be made via check, made out to SSC (Sandy Senior Center-9310 S. 1300 E.) and dropped off. You may also give your payment to Kay Adair, Barbara Glick or myself (Cindy Powell) at the SSC Monday Paint Group.  If you prefer to pay on-line via Paypal, please contact me (Cindy) at 801 674 9503. (Or if you have any questions-please call)  Seating is limited. Payment must be made by September 1st to secure your reservation. 

Mary was born in Murray, Utah, but grew up in Midvale.
She began painting as a teacher in-service class and what started as a way to bring art into the classroom, ended in a love for watercolor. She retired from teaching in 2013, and now paints full time.

Mary continues to learn about watercolor by attending workshops of other diverse artists and has had the opportunity to paint in both, England and Spain.  She loves painting from nature in the great outdoors.

Mary is a signature member of the Utah Watercolor Society.
She has been their Exhibition Chair for the past two years and is now the Web and Constant Contact Communications Chair. She is also a current member of Art At The Main, a co-operative gallery in the Salt Lake City Main Library.

Mary has had paintings juried into and won awards in exhibitions sponsored by Intermountain Society Artists, the Schorr Gallery, and the Utah Watercolor Society. Her paintings have also been juried into Western Federation Exhibitions and the Pioneer Memorial Theater’s Loge Gallery Exhibits at the University of Utah and into the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe 118th Juried Exhibition at the National Arts Club in New York City. She recently received an Award Of Merit from the UWS Spring Open Exhibition.

She currently lives in Holladay, Utah, with her husband.

Mary has many paintings done in this unique style, all amazingly beautiful,

(Reminds me of stained glass windows),  I've had the privilege of taking this workshop when it was offered at the Cache Valley Chapter of the UWS.  I highly recommend it.  Mary is such a wonderful teacher, explains every step, encourages you along the way, and takes the time to make sure you are enjoying her workshop.

The supplies are the normal watercolor supplies with the exception of hot press 140 lb. paper. (It's a dream to paint on, using Mary's methods).  Below is a full list of supplies.

*Your usual pallet with a variety of pigment hues.

Mary has quite a few yellows, oranges, reds, blues, and greens.

Sometimes she just puts extra colors on a plate if her pallet is 

already full. Any brand is fine. Make sure you have space to 

let colors mix on your pallet. 

*Small pointed brushes-sizes 4 and 6 work well. 

Mary uses Leow Cornell pointed round brushes, but any brand is 

fine as long as they are finely pointed.

*Pencil-Keep it soft, 2B-4B-Fine. The less pencil marks showing the better.

*Soft eraser-less chance of abrading the soft surface of hot-pressed paper.

*Your Usual Stuff-Paper towels, water jar, ruler, tissues, apron, 

sponge, tape, etc. You know what you need to paint comfortably. 

You will not need to bring any type of resist or masking. We will be painting and 

leaving the white spaces between. Do Not Use Mr. Clean sponges.

*Pictures, photos or digital images are fine.  Mary will give 

you a copy of what she will be painting. You may trace it and paint,

or draw your own image to paint. Bring photos/digital images of 

something you would like to do on your own.

*Sketch book to design your composition.

*Back board w/clip-or whatever you normally use as a support.  Mary uses an old foam core support

and clips her photo to the painting. 

*Patience!-Mosaic Painting is a thoughtful creative process. Be patient 

and have fun!  To see more of Mary's fabulous paintings visit her website by clicking: Mary Pusey

Please Note: You will need to bring your lunch and it would be nice to bring a snack to share.
Thanking You in advance,  Cindy