'During the autumn months, views of the riverside simply encompass the essence of this colourful season,' says Wendy Jelbert. 'It is an artist’s dream: an area of water edged in gold with glowing splashes of scarlet, ochres, vivid yellows, oranges and bronzes.

'In early autumn, the river edges are adorned with an abundance of nuts, fruits and seeds; these are a real challenge to the painter, and now is the time to produce small informative sketches of hidden corners or single features, in the hope they will prove valuable for adding to your future paintings.'

Autumn Glory, watercolour, (25.5x38cm)

This watercolour, Autumn Glory (above), was painted from sketches, colour notes and a photograph. It captures all the techniques that are needed to portray this season so beautifully!

Care was needed to contrast bright and radiant colours, so necessary for enhancing their differences, either with the contrasts in the backgrounds or in the nearby areas.

Here I used the bright yellow sunlit leaves against the blue-violet background trees, partly in the distance and partly reflected in the water below.

By using the darkest tone against the lightest area I created a sense of drama, and gave the feeling of intense light, which is always found on water. If needs be, the painter must overemphasise this point so that it gives life to the whole event.

Always add some variation to the texturing of the trees, plants and grasses found on your water banks.

Use dots and dashes, varying thicknesses, and arched and tapering brushstrokes. If you keep using the same routine, the painting will be dull.

Here, the opposites of the colour are in full play: reds near green, violet against yellows,

Demonstration: Morning Glory

This was a special soft and gentle morning, with the September sun rising in a misty haze among the spikey rushes and grasses.

Step one

Draw the main features of the sun shape, the horizon line, grasses and reeds in pencil.

Draw a circle of masking fluid for the sun’s sphere and reflection, and a few reeds in the front.

Paint an underwash of pale Naples yellow, covering the river behind the reeds and into the sky.

Intensify the yellow around the sun, and diffuse the edges into the surrounding area.

Step two

Re-wash the whole sky and distance and add distant trees and reflections in a mixture of cobalt and touches of sienna.

Paint pale blue and violet reeds for the middle distance and foreground.

Step three

The finished painting. Morning Glory, watercolour, (25.5x30.5cm)

Lift off the masking fluid and slightly diffuse the edges with a tissue that has been dipped in water.

Lift off a light line across the horizon, defining the distant riverbank.

Using a mixture of cobalt, sienna and violet, paint carefully an assortment of grasses and reeds in the foreground and middle distance.

Detail several plants with the sepia pen to complete the picture.

ENJOY MORE TOP TIPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS FROM WENDY

Wendy’s courses, foreign trips, exhibitions, brushes and DVDs are all featured on her website. Visit www.wendyjelbert.co.uk

Unlock a wider world of advice, expertise, news and exclusive offers specifically tailored to your passion for painting with our inspirational Painters Online emails today. 

Sometimes we may include links to online retailers, from which we might receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate links do not influence editorial coverage and will only be used when covering relevant products.