Varanasi, Ganges, Ghats #2

How do you capture the busy feeling of a place like Varanasi without painting every single brick? This is a question I often get from my students. I find the secret is to focus on the large shapes and the way the light hits the buildings. The Ghats are famous for their tall stone steps and old temples. In this painting, I wanted to show the warmth of the sun as it touches the orange and yellow walls. I used a mix of Yellow Ochre and Cadmium Red to get those glowing tones on the buildings.

The water of the River Ganges is always moving, so I used broad horizontal strokes. I chose Ultramarine Blue and Cobalt Blue for the deeper parts of the river. I think the reflection of the blue and green boats really brings the water to life. The bright green boat was painted with a bit of Spring Green to make it pop against the blue. You can see how the shadows on the water mirror the colours of the buildings above. It is all about connecting the sky, the land, and the water through colour.

I kept the figures on the steps very simple. They are just small marks of paint, but they tell a story of people going about their day. Using a bit of White paint for the highlights on the clothing or the edges of the boats helps to create a sense of bright daylight. I often use Neutral Tint for the very darkest shadows to give the painting some depth. This helps the lighter areas look even brighter. Painting like this is more about the feeling of the place than making a perfect map.

This original watercolor painting is currently for sale. If you would like to own this piece or want to know more about the size and price, please contact me for more information. I always enjoy hearing from fellow painters and art lovers. I hope this gives you some ideas for your own work when you are painting busy scenes with lots of sunlight and reflections. Remember to keep your brushes moving and enjoy the process.