The Valley Sandsend

Highly accomplished watercolour; now, this isn't "loose", which is the flavour of the moment, but much as I love loose, why should every watercolour have to conform to that type? Well, yours doesn't - and it's brilliantly executed with no loss of spontaneous feeling or artistic expression at all. I feel slightly as though I'm defending it, probably because of the lack of comments so far: but I believe that watercolour painting like this tends to get overlooked - and it's about time it was appreciated for all it has to offer. Here endeth the First Lesson...

I totally agree with Robert, Alan. I think this is very, very beautiful and it caught my eye as soon as I saw it. I am jealous, wish I had done this. I love all the other works in your gallery too. Well done and keep posting.

Robert & Mia - Thanks for your comments, over the years I have painted watercolours in both a loose style and my current style - which is somewhere inbetween loose and very over detailed. I have settled for my style of painting and have decided to paint how and what I like. This is Ken Howard's philosophy and it certainly hasn't done him any harm. I have an architectural background and it is very difficult to shake off putting in the detail. Last year I attended a workshop with Alvaro Castagnet trying to loosen up, following on I am afraid I have stuck with my methods of working. Your comments are much appreciated. Alan

You have a stunning gallery, Alan, made up of superb paintings. This is an addition to be proud of. I could never aspire to such expertise - so I will just dodder along with my acrylics and enjoy what I can of them!

Good for you Alan. Stick with your own style - especially if it means you are creating such super paintings. Although I am currently trying to loosen up a little by using a palette knife, my heart lies in the detail. I am a tidy person by nature and I like to spend over detail in painting - it is almost a therapy because I am relaxed and concentrating on the painting so niggling worries take a back seat!

What a wonderfully romantic watercolour. There is so much detail. Your choice of colours is equally excellent. I just had to look up your personal website on google http://www.alangoodall-art.co.uk/ Great work.