What I've Learned from Studying Water
Lately, I've been studying water. I think in doing waves and reflections an artist needs to understand how they work regardless of painting in a highly realistic or an impressionist manner.
An article in the last few years in a major art magazine was very helpful as a starting point for me. I don't remember the artist's name, who gave this advice, but thank you!
He said to think of waves as mirrors and glass. The slope of the wave facing you is like glass. You can see through this "glass" to bottom features like stones up close and farther out the general color of the water at depth. The surface of the waves facing away from you are the "mirrors". They reflect the sky or other reflections such as trees, a boat, buildings, etc.
This last month on the shore of Lake Superior, I spent time studying and photographing waves in different light and shade and at different time of the day.
Gurney's pages on painting water, in the book "Color and Light", are extremely helpful too! I encourage you to read them.
I've included the water study in two stages...
Here's to continued learning! Mark
