ROOTS IN WATERCOLOUR

Charles - a wonderful watercolour, if I can ever reach this level in landscapes I would be very pleased. I'm not sure why you stopped painting in watercolours but all those tangled roots and the different greens must have been a challenge and you have a lovely painting as an end result. Thank you for your comments on my paintings much appreciated

Very good Charles, especially as you have been away from watercolour for so long, sometimes is good to have a change of medium.

Another great painting - you can tell I was keen to comment, I even took a magnifying class to the screen in order to find the Log-in button .... I hate masking fluid too - each to their own, but I find I get actively hostile to the use of the stuff: my view is, if your painting technique demands masking - then switch to acrylic. You can do so much more without it that I would never recommend it to any student painter: it encourages tightness, nit-picking, and it depresses me that several painting demonstrators use it as a first resort in just about every painting ... they remark "I've applied the masking fluid", as though it would have been unthinkable not to. Anticipating furious objections, I'd better add that Joe Francis Dowden uses it interestingly and creatively; and POL's very own Louise Naimian has explained before that she finds it necessary given her very personal style. But Charles - I'm with you! And the above painting shows just what can be done with plain, pure watercolour: not a trace of nasty blue or spit-coloured latex .....

Charles I really like this tree roots subject one I may have to try. I sometimes use masking fluid in my work, which enables me to get another texture with ink- useful on distant leaves ! I have only tried watercolour a few times and I think i was probably also not doing it correctly, your way of using it is lovely it has inspired me to try again.

This is a perfect watercolour, Charles. I have some masking fluid in my studio (somewhere...), it is about 3 years old and I think I used it once. Don't think it will be ok anymore. I have no objection if people like to use it, but I never do.

Like you I never use masking fluid - have no use for it. In fact I use nothing other than putr watercolour and sometimes black ink. Alan Oliver who is one of my favourite watercolourists was saying the other night that he sometimes uses pastel on watercolours to achieve a few final telling finishes and that is something I might try. Getting back to your painting it is up to your highest standards - you have obviousely not lost your touch with watercolour.t

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said LOL Acrylic, charcoal, watercolour you manage to produce stunning paintings whatever the medium.

Charles you constantly amaze me with your versatility , acrylic, oil , watercolour and excellent charcoal drawings, but this watercolour demonstrates your eye for a green! so many different greens blended together to make a really wonderful painting.

I agree with Val there's not a lot to say that hasn't been said already another lovely painting.

Super painting, love the roots and again you have lots of atmosphere.

You have a great versatility, you can paint with any medium and you get wonderful results. This painting is stunning

Superb, Charles! Is there anything you can't do to spectacular effect?! I love the scale of the scene, which you've conveyed beautifully. And the greens! So much of it, and not a bit of it is muddy! I am ENVIOUS!

Charles, you are.....AMAZING!!! I wouldn't know where to start with all that tangle of roots, it's a great painting.

Congratulations Charles for being in the top ten of December, superb painitng