The Innovative Artist: Capturing Light : Creating Radiant Landscapes in Watercolour

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.

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

Catherine Beale has developed an imaginative light-capturing technique that is both simple and effective. She calls this ‘gravity’ painting. In landscapes, where light is an essential element, this ‘loosen up’ method of flowing watercolor pigments is particularly effective. It can dramatically alter perspectives, veil or highlight details, create mood and atmosphere and imbue pictures with life and vitality. Catherine offers an exciting new technique for artists seeking new challenges and a different way of working.

• The book starts with an explanation of the technique, the materials and colors 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 projects exploring how to build up light-filled effects.

This is a practical guide to an essential subject, written by a contemporary artist who offers new ways of interpreting light in all its different moods. Catherine’s method helps free up painting styles, promote brave color use and produce pictures full of life and dramatic light.