I recently taught a beginners watercolour course at a local arts centre and in doing some preparation, was attempting some loose still life paintings, in the style of the late, great Charles Reid. No one comes close to his style but I think these later ones are an improvement on my very early attempts at watercolour.
Have a look at my earliest watercolour on this blog, which incidentally I started way back in October 2011 merely to keep a record of my progress.
The composition was acceptable, a reasonable attempt at negative painting, but the rest was pretty bad. I’m glad I started this blog (which was purely for my own record) so I do have a record of paintings that have since long gone. This one to the rubbish bin.
The following are my most recent still life watercolours, both painted with my limited palette of Cotman colours on Bockingford paper with cheap Renoir brushes.
I chose these budget supplies because I was allocated a limited budget to supply paints, brushes and paper for each student. I am more than impressed with Cotman watercolours. Classified as a student range the tubes have the pigment code, permanence and lightfast rating listed which a lot of the cheaper brands don’t.
The Renoir brushes also perform extremely well for their price. At $4 and $6 (Australia) each I don’t mind replacing them more often but so far they are still working like new.
Bockingford paper is manufactured by St Cuthbert’S Mill makers of many of the top watercolour papers, and is very forgiving. It is heavily sized and takes a lot of punishment, can be wiped back or erased easily, but sometimes this can be problem as multiple layers can tend to lift if the paint is applied with too heavy a hand. I’ll continue to use it.
Ros Jenke 
I even love the one for the rubbish bin
🙂
But you’re right, the other 2 are even better!
Thank you, but that one is long gone 😄
It is interesting to compare your first with the present. Your color now is cleaner and brighter. They are beautiful. What Cotman colors are in your limited palette and what size are the recent paintings?
Thanks Judy. Colours are Cad Yellow, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine, cerulean, Pthalo blue and Indigo. Paintings are about 1/4 sheet size.
Thanks. Almost identical to my palette plus a few more. I have several palettes and it is fun to switch. I didn’t know the Cotman tube colors are that intense.
Judy
I think that Charles Reid would be very impressed with your work! The recent ones are particularly well done! – I had missed the news that he had passed. Very sad.
That’s very kind of you Nan 😊 it was very sad news indeed.