Steve Williamson

Watercolours

I often say that I paint in watercolour a lot, and occasionally produce a watercolour! To qualify for the accolade, the picture must exploit the translucency and spontaneity of the medium, the freshness of the colour, the expressive brush strokes - nothing laboured or contrived. The four paintings I have chosen, "The new thatch", "Chrysanthemums", "Chocolate fandango", and "Little St Mary's Lane, Cambridge" give an idea of what I mean.

The New Thatch - It was the brilliance of the new golden thatch, so soon to dull and brown with weathering, which provided the impetus for this painting. The rest of the picture supports, both in colour (purples do work well with golds) and in lightness of touch, the impact of that passing joy.

Chrysanthemums - I am inordinately proud of this painting, since it is the first (and at this time the only!) flower painting I have done which has given me any satisfaction. I particularly like the way the brush has indicated the greenery around the flowers, and how few strokes were needed to show the glassy bowl.

Chocolate fandango - this is no more than a sketch, but how well watercolour catches the passing moment. The very reduced palette concentrates the mind of painter and viewer, both caught up in the energy and self-absorption of the dancer.

Little St Mary's Lane, Cambridge - the attraction of this view was the sunlight on the bright buildings down the narrow shady lane, with the almost obligatory bike in silhouette. It's amazing what colours one can get into a painting if one really tries!