The Ice House, Santa Barbara Harbour
Jun 29, 2025
Santa Barbara Harbour #1
Jun 29, 2025
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
Jun 27, 2025
Painting outdoors in the courtyard of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum was a real treat. Standing in the shade, I get a lovely view across the pool and fountain to the old building with its red tiled roof and wooden beams and dark walkway around the courtyard. The sound of the water from the fountain was very calming, hardly any people about, and all very inspiring.
Watercolour 15" x 11"
El Presidio, Santa Barbara
Jun 26, 2025
El Presidio, Santa Barbara, watercolor, 15" x 11"
El Presidio in Santa Barbara is a historic Spanish fort built in 1782, right in the centre of the city. It was made with thick white adobe walls and red tile roofs, and some of the original buildings are still standing today. The site is now a 'park' with old buildings, shady trees, and open spaces, and you can walk around and explore the history.
East Beach Car Park, Santa Barbara
Jun 25, 2025
East Beach Santa Barbara
Jun 24, 2025
Santa Barbara, watercolor 15" x 11"
On this particular day, the light was soft and slightly hazy, giving the distant hills a beautiful blue-grey wash. I wanted to capture that sense of calm and space, so I kept my brushwork loose and let the watercolour do what it does best—suggesting rather than spelling out every detail. The reflections in the water and the little group of ducks added just enough interest in the foreground, drawing the viewer’s eye into the scene.
I find that painting plein air like this really sharpens my observation skills. You have to work quickly, making decisions about composition and colour on the spot. It’s a challenge, but also incredibly rewarding.
Richmond VA Cityscape #2
Jun 05, 2025
Richmond VA Cityscape
Jun 04, 2025
Salisbury Cathedral from Choristers Square, Salisbury UK
May 31, 2025
Salisbury Cathedral from Choristers Square, Salisbury UK, watercolour 15" x 11"
Salisbury Cathedral from Choristers’ Square – Capturing Light and Shadow in Watercolour
I recently had the pleasure of painting Salisbury Cathedral as seen from Choristers’ Square, a classic and much-loved view in the heart of Salisbury. This spot is a favourite of mine, not just for the grandeur of the cathedral but for the way the winter sun casts those wonderful, long shadows across the open square. The interplay of light and shadow, the tracery of bare branches, and the subtle colours of the scene all make it a perfect subject for a watercolour.
In the reference photo, you can see how the low sun creates dramatic shadows from the tree in the foreground, stretching right across the square. The cathedral itself rises majestically behind, slightly softened by the backlighting, and there’s a lovely contrast between the cool blues and purples of the shadows and the warm tones of the buildings and sunlight.
When approaching this painting, I wanted to emphasise that contrast and the sense of atmosphere. I began with a light wash for the sky, using a mix of cobalt blue and a touch of alizarin crimson to give a hint of warmth. While the paper was still damp, I dropped in some stronger blue to suggest the coolness of a winter’s day.
For the cathedral and surrounding buildings, I used a combination of wet-in-wet and wet-on-dry techniques. The distant stonework is suggested with loose, soft-edged washes, allowing the structure to recede and not compete with the foreground. I kept the details minimal, focusing instead on the overall shapes and the play of light.
The tree was painted with a rigger brush, using a mix of burnt sienna and ultramarine for those fine, intricate branches. I let some of the background show through, keeping the branches light and airy to avoid overworking them.
The foreground shadows are the real stars of this composition. I mixed a strong, rich blue with a hint of violet and swept it confidently across the paper, letting the brushwork follow the natural lines of the shadows as seen in the photo. I also used some splattering and dry brush to add texture and interest to the pavement, suggesting the uneven surface and catching the eye.
Figures were added last, using dark, simple shapes to give a sense of scale and life to the scene. I kept them loose and suggestive, just enough to convey movement without drawing too much attention.
Overall, it’s the balance of warm and cool, light and dark, that brings this painting together. Salisbury Cathedral is always a joy to paint, and Choristers’ Square offers endless inspiration for anyone who loves to capture the beauty of English architecture and landscape in watercolour.
If you’d like to see more of my work or join me for a workshop, do visit my website at www.timwilmotartist.com.