http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistMarch 2020 23
PRACTICAL
TAand distance, an internal space within
the picture.
Focal point
The painting of St Paul’s from the
Millennium Bridge Time Present, Time Past
(right) illustrates how I used lost edges,
created soft edges and, at the same
time, used hard edges to lead the eye
to the focal point. The soft edges were
used on the reflective surface of the
bridge by painting wet-into-wet initially,
strengthening the colour at the bottom.
The painting was turned upside down
to apply a further dark wash, run out
with clean water to achieve the depth
of colour. Once dry the surface was
structured by lifting off horizontals and
verticals as previously described with a
damp chisel brush, thus creating a flat
surface of shadows and reflections. The
top edges of the buildings on the left
and right were softened dramatically
with the application of a thick, dark
wash over the previously painted walls,
which had the effect of dropping them
into deep shadow. By painting this dark
wash around St Paul’s, leaving a crisp
hard edge, the eye is directed to the
focal point, assisted by the diagonals in
the composition.
The way we see is something that
continues to fascinate me. Balancing
the use of hard and soft, lost and found
edges is just one of the processes
that allows me to create the illusion of
reality.
p From the Eye, detail
u Time Present, Time Past, watercolour,
23¾ 3 22in (60 3 56cm)
Deborah Walker is an elected member of the Royal
Institute of Painters in Water Colours (RI) and the Royal Society
of Marine Artists (RSMA). She works from her studio gallery
in Hamstall Ridware, Stafordshire, where she paints, teaches
drawing and watercolour and stages occasional one-day
workshops. For more information go to: http://www.walker-art.
co.uk Deborah founded ‘fRIends of the RI’, has served on the
RI council since 2014 and is their fRIends Secretary. For further
information about fRIends of the RI please go to:
http://royalinstituteofpaintersinwatercolours.org/friends