Watercolour Skies
Artists & Illustrators|November 2020
FABIO CEMBRANELLI shows you how to capture those big skies we fall in love with on our holidays, by lifting out colour and keeping the little details varied
FABIO CEMBRANELLI
Watercolour Skies

My painting technique is based on an intuitive approach to watercolour, so all subjects are painted in a similarly loose way. My landscapes are no different. I am always striving to paint something that conveys a certain mood and has an effect on the viewer.

I have been lucky to teach watercolour painting in so many countries over the last 20 years, but one of the most beautiful places I have been is the Indonesian island of Bali. I love the sunny summer days there; all tropical nature, vibrant greens and stunning skies. That’s what I aimed to represent: a typical Bali landscape.

The painting is based on a sketch I made when I last visited Bali. The painting’s composition could be divided into two parts: the larger area of the sky (filled with moving clouds, interesting highlights and a diversity of blues) and the smaller foreground (represented by a few buildings, palm trees, tropical plants and green grass).

My painting relies on the contrast between these two areas. The foreground here acts as a support for the sky area, painted with a darker tonal value and fewer details so that all the attention is drawn to the sky. I also chose a low horizon line to further enhance the sense of depth and interest in the composition. www.fabiocembranelli.com

Fabio’s materials

•Paper Arches Aquarelle 300gsm watercolour paper, 61x46cm

•Brushes Rounds, sizes 6, 10 and 16; flats, sizes 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”; rigger, size 2

This story is from the November 2020 edition of Artists & Illustrators.

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This story is from the November 2020 edition of Artists & Illustrators.

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