St Elmo lighthouse in Malta
Hi I'm new member and a very rusty watercolour beginner having completed only around half a dozen watercolour paintings around 20+ years ago. This painting was painted on CP paper, using reference photo by photographer Reuben Farrugia. Painted as a gift for my father in law, who loves all things nautical and now lives in Malta. It was completed almost 2 years ago and was my last attempt in painting a watercolour landscape or seascape. I find it difficult to loosen up after working with mainly pencils and pastels since returning to art about 4 years ago. I know it's very overworked and very tight and fussy, I need to embrace and not fear the loose free flowing nature of watercolours. I feel truly inspired seeing the wonderful paintings by Olly and Edo and look forward to learning methods, techniques and getting back to basics. Tips, advice and thoughts on this painting are most welcome. Thanks.😊
Wonderful subject and a wonderful watercolour. What I see is that everything is painted very well. Only you need a bit of softer colours. A bit more water in your mixes and it will flow much nicer. On my site is a quote, "let the water be your guide". The water is not to make your pigments fluid, but to paint (with) it.
Sky is almost good, and I would make the sea paler at the horizon and darker towards you. But keep going, because you are there!