Trees
July 'Public' Online Workshop - Woods and Trees - How would you paint this in watercolour?
Jul 03, 2025
Join Me for a Live Watercolour Demo July 23rd – Painting a Woodland Scene!
I’m excited to invite you to my next live online watercolour demo, happening on July 23rd 8pm UK time! This time, I’ll be painting a beautiful woodland scene, full of dappled sunlight, lush greens, and the peaceful atmosphere of a walk in the woods.
During the session, I’ll show you step by step how to capture the light, mix a variety of greens, and create depth with trees and shadows. Whether you’re a beginner or have been painting for years, you’ll pick up plenty of tips and techniques to help you with your own landscapes.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
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Live step-by-step demonstration of a sunlit woodland path
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Tips on mixing and layering different shades of green
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How to paint convincing trees, shadows, and light effects
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Q&A – ask me anything as I paint!
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A friendly, relaxed atmosphere – perfect for all levels
If you love painting nature or want to improve your woodland scenes, this is the perfect chance to join in, learn, and have some fun with fellow watercolour enthusiasts.
Mark your calendar for July 23rd! I hope to see you there with your brushes ready.
Plein Air painting at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and its Sunken Gardens - Our Patreon group, day 1!
Jul 01, 2025
Santa Barbara. watercolour 15" x 11"
Plein Air painting at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and its Sunken Gardens - Our Patreon group, day 1!
East Beach Car Park, Santa Barbara
Jun 25, 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.
Rue de la Mission, Bergerac, France
May 13, 2025
Town Square, Bernal, Querétaro, Mexico
May 10, 2025
Steps to the old Church of San Miguel, Castell d'Olèrdola, Spain
Apr 23, 2025
West Littleton - Workshop Feb 2025
Feb 19, 2025
Bath, UK, Watercolour 15" x 11"
My painting from yesterday's public workshop and the village of West Littleton.
Claverton Art Group demo painting of River Dart at Dittisham
Feb 14, 2025
My demo painting from my recent workshop at Claverton Art Group, near Bath. Thanks to all attendees who took part in my paint along.
And here's a plug for their art exhibition in March: