Reflective Surfaces

Lorraine Watry finds unique challenges in painting water, glass and metal

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I am fascinated by the random shapes, patterns and colors that make up reflections in water, glass and metal. Reflections often go unnoticed because we are looking at the object as a whole, and not the shapes and values that compose the object. Generally, what we see reflected is different from every point of view and can change quickly, which creates an elusive quality. While I paint a variety of subjects, I am a very detail-oriented painter, and I continue toreturn to those that include a reflection of some sort. Depicting glass, metal and water is a fun challenge.

I started down the path of reflections with my water lily series. Even though I don’t paint like Claude Monet, his impressionistic water lilies were always an inspiration. I explored unusual patterns, colors and graphic shapes in the water as the backdrops to realistic depictions of the lilies. I found I like the very graphic shapes juxtaposed with the organic shape of the lilies.

The detailed nature of most of my watercolors does not work to paint on location. Therefore, I work from my own photos and have learned to take a shot quickly in case the moment flashes by. I compose the scene with my camera, but will later make additional compositional adjustments to get the desired effect.

I use my computer to adjust my photos, piece two or more images together and enlarge or reduce my drawing before transferring to my watercolor paper. I use a gridding app on my tablet to grid my photo for drawing. I also display my image on my tablet while painting, and can zoom in and see the little details.