Mastering Waterfalls
Waterfalls are one of the most alluring subjects for painters, but also one of the trickiest to get right. Learn the keys to painting successful waterfalls in this comprehensive and inspiring course, which can be seen by visiting my website and in my new DVD. On a recent painting trip to the South Island of New Zealand I wandered away from the group, following my feet up a winding river bank, deep into the ancient forest (actually very close to where they filmed the forest scenes for Lord of the Rings). I soon came to one of the most beautiful little waterfalls I’ve ever seen. Shafts of light flooded through the dense canopy overhead, making a stunning spot lit scene of the clear rushing waters and lichen covered rocks. All movement, all stillness, all glowing light and misted shadows. Well my mouth hung open, my chest filled with an ecstatic joy that welled up into my eyes. What a precious place!
After I retrieved my jaw I set to work painting and I soon realised just how tricky it can be to capture such a stunning subject on canvas. Not an easy task! As I toiled away I hummed a happy tune and considered myself lucky to finish with a halfway decent painting. Returning to camp I treated myself to a very brief swim in the glacial Rees Valley river. Needless to say, I was very fired up about waterfalls so as soon as I got back to the studio I started painting and researched the best waterfall painters to help on my quest to paint a truely beautiful waterfall scene. Finally, I felt that I’d paid homage to that beautiful waterfall in the deep south. I laid down my brushes, took a break and enjoyed the results of my labours. There were so many valuable lessons I’d learned along the way. Now it’s your turn to try!