How to Paint Rain, painting the symptoms of rain rather than painting rainfall.

Welcome back to Watercolor Theory, or in this case, Slow Travel Painter, as we continue our exploration in Vietnam. This week's photo is courtesy of Pexels, Azraq Al-Rezoan, and I must say, it (the photo) closely resembles a value study. This week, we're delving into "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Let's begin with...

The Good: Painting Rain. In this video, I demonstrate how to capture a rainy day, not merely by painting streaky lines at a slight angle, but by employing techniques of atmospheric perspective, contrast, and reflection. With a little help from props like an umbrella, we convey the essence of a rainy day.

The Bad: Abstraction versus Expectation. In this segment, I'll discuss how abstraction is context-dependent. In the case of this painting, there are areas, such as the storefronts on the left and the interior of the rickshaw, where I struggled with abstraction due to my efforts to make sense of the scene. I'll showcase instances where abstraction flows naturally, such as in grassy fields or distant buildings.

The Ugly: Embrace Imperfection. If a painting looks unappealing, persist. What's to lose? Conversely, if a painting appears satisfactory, step back and revisit it another day. I experimented with four versions of this painting; while the first and last resonate with me the most, the second is stylistic, and the third resembles the photograph from afar but lacks appeal up close.

As of this video's release, I have three more paintings of this subject to share, each with its unique approach. One leans towards abstraction, another faithfully represents the photo, and the third offers a distinct perspective. While I'm uncertain if they'll feature in a single video, stay tuned for updates. Additionally, I'll provide a sneak peek at what currently occupies my easel: a water lily picker in her boat.

Watercolour Philosophy.

“Much Dogma, in Watercolour there is.” - Yoda

“You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” - Bruce Lee

“There's a force in the universe that makes things happen. And all you have to do is get in touch with it, stop thinking, let things happen, and be the ball.” -Ty Webb Caddyshack