The Innovative Artist: Capturing Light

Capturing Light is a must for artists who wish to investigate the subtle qualities of light with an emphasis on creating dramatic, imaginative landscapes.

Loving the fluidity of watercolours, Catherine has developed a painting technique by experimenting with, and exploring, modern watercolour pigments and the boundaries of the medium. The method uses lots of water on a sloping board which Catherine calls gravity painting, which creates a natural way of working, keeping colours luminous and mobile without any ‘muddying’. 

The book starts with an explanation of the technique, the materials and colours used and the importance of capturing the essence of a landscape. There are numerous progressively challenging small exercises, demonstrations and inspirational finished pictures illustrating the alluring effects of reflections, mists and shadows and showing the dramatic effects of different skies. Developments of ideas for landscapes are introduced as the book progresses, plus nine projects exploring how to build up light-filled effects. Catherine’s method will free up your painting style, embolden your colour choices and show you how to create vibrant pictures full of dramatic light.

Book Contents

Introduction 6
My inspiration 12
Materials & tools 28
Colour 40
Light & shade 50
Techniques 62
More advanced techniques 94

Projects 110
Aerial Perspective 112, Mists 120, Clouds, Storms & Rain 128, Bleached by High Summer Sun 134, Blinding Sun & Hard Shadows 140, Dappled Woodland Light 146, Sparkling Light on the Sea 152, Sunset 158, Artificial Light 164

Index 176