Arrival at Edinburgh Waverley by Ken Young

An excellent painting. Hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions. I just can't get this strong contrast of light/dark in my paintings that you do. Ken, do you use masking fluid for the window reflections etc? How many layers of paint would you tend to use for the green metal fixture, the blue of the train or the very dark parts in the roof etc? Do you ever use black paint? Excellent paintings in your portfolio, good variety.

Thanks again Pat. Except for the light fitting right at the top, I didn't use any masking fluid. For the relections I painted the windows a pale cobalt blue, then applied a dark mix of neutral tint over that. The dark green pillar base took 2 layers, a mid-tone viridian with a darker mix on top. The same approach for the blue side of the train. I found the roof difficult. I kept layering over the struts and beams till I felt they were right - but I now feel I overworked them. The really dark area, top left, I got right first time (to my surprise) with a dense mix of neutral tint and burnt umber. I rarely use black.

Beautiful portfolio Ken, this one is superb, great composition

This is an incredible watercolour Ken. Extremely well painted and a great collection.

Pretty amazing

What can I say - it's been said - a superb watercolour

Thanks for your help Ken. Very useful, I shall have a go from your ideas soon. It doesn't look overworked at all to me - it's superb.

I have just browsed your five watercolours and each is superb I love your reflected light and the foreground of the steps receding back to the houses, drawing the eye in. This picture is the best, how long did it take you to paint? The reflections in the train window are brilliant. Congratulations.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments, they are much appreciated. To answer Brenda's question, "Arrival" took a lot of time, maybe 25 hours all told over a week or so. The drawing work was time-consuming - drawing the roof nearly drove me mad!

Everybody has said it already, this is an amazing piece of work.

As ever Ken, your watercolours are superb! Love this one, the detail is amazing, I'm not surprised how long it took. Wonderful!

Brilliant..... I adore urban landscapes and you've mastered it all here. Thanks for the detailed explanation which I'll be noting down...... I find intermediate darks very difficult too! The painting is so fresh and not overworked at all. Your gallery is great.

Once again, great drawing and painting skills, Ken, I have enjoyed browsing through your gallery.