Create colourful oily art

James Paterson demonstrates how to create unique abstract patterns by combining cooking oil, water and reflected light

Water and oil may not mix, but they can create unique photos. With a few household items, a flash (or powerful lamp) and the right camera settings, we can create bold, vibrant abstract pictures.

The key here is in customizing our light source. By placing a colourful material in front of the light we can transform it into our own light box. This light will then be reflected into the oil and the water to create our abstract art.

Every little bubble and drop of oil is highly reflective, so at the right angle they reflect the light from our source towards the camera. The result is a seemingly endless array of bubbles – some on the surface of the water, others drifting in the depths below – and each containing the shapes and colours of our light source in miniature form.

We’ve used a colourful Union Jack flag for our oily reflection, but you could use any semi- translucent material. Or if you prefer arts and craft you could fashion your own with cardboard, scissors and tracing paper or coloured acetate. Any bold shape will do, but it adds to the effect if the colours and shapes are familiar and recognizable.

We used a small studio softbox to light our oil and water. If you don’t have this kind of gear you can get similar results with various types of light-emitting devices, as you’ll see.