Painting the Thames at Henley: Capturing Light and Shade

Today I want to share a recent painting I did called River Thames at Henley and views to the Island of Rod Eyot. It’s a lovely scene on the Thames, a place I really enjoy painting. I wanted to capture that strong feeling of a bright, sunny day, especially how the light hits the water and the path. This kind of light and shade is what makes a watercolour painting really sing!

To get the look of that bright sunshine and the deep shadows, I used a few of my favourite colours. For the vibrant greens of the weeping willow hanging over the top, I mixed my viridian green with a bit of a cadmium yellow to make it look really fresh and bright. Then, for the dark, dark shadows under the trees, I used neutral tint and sometimes a little burnt umber. Using these deep, dark colours next to the bright ones really makes the lighter areas 'pop' and stand out!

The river itself is a mix of cool colours. I used cerulean blue and sometimes a touch of cobalt blue in the lighter parts of the water where the sun is reflecting. For the darker, richer colours in the river, I added a bit of ultramarine blue. Remember, the water isn't just one flat colour. It changes depending on the sky and what is reflecting in it. Try to see those different colour shifts when you paint water.

I really like how the strong path leads your eye into the painting and down the riverbank. The warm, reddish colour on the path and ground is a mix of burnt sienna and a little bit of alizarin crimson. These warm colours contrast nicely with the cooler blues and greens of the water and trees. The figures walking in the distance are just simple shapes, suggesting movement and life without too much detail. It’s important not to overwork those small details!

I think this painting works because of the strong contrast between light and shadow. It helps to think about where the sun is and how everything else is reacting to it. This painting, River Thames at Henley and views to the Island of Rod Eyot, is available to buy. Please contact me if you’re interested in having it for your home!

I always love sharing my watercolour journey with you. Do have a go at painting a sunny scene yourself, focusing on those strong shadows! You can see lots more of my work on my website at www.timwilmotartist.com, and I'd love for you to join our friendly painting community on my Patreon site at patreon/timwilmot. Check it out for a free trial!