Bridge on Skye

Many a tourist visiting Skye on Scotland’s west coast cannot but wonder at the beauty and unspoilt wildness of the country they see all around them. The wide variety of colours only makes the land more attractive.

Skye is well known for its seasons. Reviewing my photographs, I saw the late winter displayed in all its glory. Encouragement to finally paint the stone bridge with the mountain towering behind.

The land was still sleeping, with its various shades of browns in the lower area fronting the greys and whites of the frost and melting snow at a high level.

The stonework of the bridge had weathered substantially over the years and formed a jigsaw of shapes and colours. That lent itself as a subject of importance in the area and a must to paint.

I used only four colours and white to produce the picture by painting thin washes initially. From that base, breaking down the whole picture into smaller areas and painting details gives the watercolour the depth of field and, most importantly, the sense of atmosphere achieved.

I mixed the background sky into a mist over part of the mountain ridge line using a wet-on-wet technique and tissue paper.

I would be grateful if you would leave your views and feelings about my paintings as a review.