Ruins, Light, and History in San Fernando

Pintura de acuarela sobre papel. Watercolor painting

This piece captures the old gate of Salina de Dolores, one of the many atmospheric ruins scattered across the salt plains of San Fernando, Cádiz. These places are not only rich in history, but they also carry a mysterious aura that makes them deeply inspiring for any artist.

What makes this location truly unique is the intensity of the light—on clear days, it’s nearly impossible to walk without sunglasses. Capturing that brightness and still preserving the feeling of time-worn abandonment was the main challenge of this painting.

Artistic Approach and Materials

I used strong contrasts between complementary colors and gave the shapes a defined, almost graphic presence. The goal was to balance atmosphere with structure, using the light to bring clarity to forms while preserving the roughness of the scene.

• 🎨 Medium: Winsor & Newton watercolors
• 📄 Paper: Arches 300 g fine-grain paper
• 📐 Size: 21 x 29 cm
• 🖼️ Format: Portrait
• 📅 Date: December 2020

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

This was one of the first paintings where I started to experiment more boldly with color contrast and deliberate outlining. The clarity of the light in this region demands an assertive approach. It taught me that sometimes simplicity in composition can shine if the light and palette are honest and direct.

Further Exploration

🔗 Check out the rest of my watercolor art collection
📍 Learn more about Salina de Dolores in San Fernando

What hidden places or ruins near you have inspired your creativity? Share your thoughts or photos in the comments below!