Tip of the Month

Ffynonn Lloer, Snowdonia, Watercolour by David Bellamy 

In this painting of Ffynonn Lloer, which in English is ‘The Well of the Moon’, I have deliberately lost some of the background detail to throw more emphasis onto the small lake, which is partially iced up. I have simplified the reflections to make them more effective. Most of the rocks were in fact very dark and dismal. However, you will notice that the central rib of rock, coming down from the notch, are quite red. I have introduced more colour into them which makes the corresponding reflection just that bit more interesting.

The outlet stream which is almost in the centre foreground works well as a lead in and the snow on the right hand side which runs into the dead grasses, gives me the opportunity to darken the reflection on that side creating a strong contrast.