Castle Combe Cottages By Brook in Watercolour

Here is my fresh watercolour of Castle Combe cottages by the brook. I love this classic Cotswold view with the line of stone roofs and tall chimneys against the trees. The light was soft and the shadows stretched across the lane and water. My goal was a calm summer feeling with sparkle on the brook and a few simple figures for life.

I started with big shapes. The sky went in wet in wet using cerulean and a touch of ultramarine to keep it bright. The cottages were one connected wash, keeping the windows and door shapes simple. I softened roof edges into the trees so the buildings sit in the scene. A few dry brush marks suggested the old stone and the rough lane.

For colour I kept warms and cools in balance. Roofs have a mix of burnt sienna with a hint of alizarin for warmth. Shadows are ultramarine with a little neutral tint for strength. The summer greens are viridian with spring green and a touch of yellow ochre where the sun hits. The brook has soft blues with a whisper of lavender and I lifted small sparkles. A tiny pop of cadmium red on the door leads the eye. I finished with a few white highlights to catch the light.

The figures were just small shapes and lost and found edges. A few spatter marks add texture near the bank and suggest stones. This is a great subject to practice values, soft edges and linking shapes. If this scene speaks to you, join one of my online demos or see more work and events on my website.