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I got up early yesterday to do some kayak fishing. I hit the water just after sunrise, when everything was illuminated by a soft, low-angle light. The water was still and there was no other person in sight. All you could hear was the sound of birds and the odd fish jumping. Perfect.
It wasn’t overly productive in terms of fishing (only three small ones), but it was an excellent lesson in the art of observation. When there’s so little going on around you, it gives you a chance to observe some of the more subtle things in life. In this case, I observed:
- The pastel colors of the early morning sky and how they went from blue to green to yellow to orange to purple. I tried to capture this in a photo (see above) but the colors appeared flat and weak.
- The different reflections dancing on the water’s surface. At one point, I came to a bridge crossing which glowed golden in the sunlight. The water below shimmered with blue and gold, partly reflecting the bridge and partly reflecting the blue sky above. It reminded me of Alfred Sisley’s The Bridge at Villeneuve-la-Garenne, which I saw at the European Masterpieces exhibition back in 2021.
- The rich colors in the shadows of the water. Deep blues, greens, purples, and browns.
- All the interesting patterns, colors, and snaking lines created by ripples on the water.
Observations like this are an inspiration goldmine. It’s easy to find subjects to paint once you start to notice all the beautiful and subtle color relationships around you.
They also provide valuable insights into the workings of color and light. You can learn a lot by simply observing and questioning what’s going on (you don’t always need a brush in hand to develop as an artist).
Beginner artists don’t give observation enough attention. But always remember, if you cannot observe what’s going on in front of you, what hope do you have for painting it? Think of it as a skill you must train, just as you must train certain techniques with your brush.
If you ever want to learn more, check out the 30-Day Creativity Kickstart. The price goes back up in two days.
Happy painting!
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
