Painting Old Barges on the River Thames

The River Thames near Oxford is a wonderful place to find subjects for a painting. On this day, I found two old barges moored up against the bank. I was immediately drawn to the charm of their decay. There is something very special about the way old metal and wood start to rust and rot. The textures are a gift for a watercolour artist, but you have to be careful. When you are painting all of that decay, you have to ask yourself where you are going to stop. If you add too much detail, the painting can become messy and lose its light.

People often ask me how I choose which parts of a scene to leave out. It is a common struggle for many of us. With these boats, I wanted to show the rusty reds and deep browns of the hulls without making them look too heavy. I used Burnt Sienna and Alizarin Crimson to get those warm, earthy tones. To balance the old boats, I kept the water and the trees very fresh. I used a lot of Viridian Green and Ultramarine Blue to create those cool reflections in the river. The bright green of the trees helps the dark shapes of the barges stand out.

I painted the light hitting the top of the boats with just a few simple strokes. It is important to let the white of the paper do some of the work for you. The figure walking on the left helps to give the scene some scale and life. I find that adding a person makes the viewer feel like they are standing there with me. The dark shadows under the boats help to anchor them into the water. I used a mix of Ultramarine and Neutral Tint to get those deep, dark areas that make the rest of the colours pop.

This original watercolour painting is for sale. If you would like to own it or have any questions about it, please contact me for more information. I always enjoy hearing from fellow painters who share a love for these quiet corners of the English countryside. It was a joy to try and capture the sunlight on the water and the character of these old vessels before they disappear forever.