Historic Ruins Amid Salt Marshes

This piece is based on the tidal mill of the Río Arillo, located in the salt plains of San Fernando, Cádiz. These magnificent ruins, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Bahía de Cádiz, are powerful reminders of the region’s industrial and maritime history.

While I was satisfied with the final result at the time, today I see the painting as excessively detailed and realistic. My current artistic approach leans toward combining realism with looser, more expressive areas that allow the eye to breathe and the atmosphere to emerge more freely. Still, I value this piece as part of my evolving journey as a watercolor artist.

Materials and Technical Details

Paper: Canson Heritage, 300g fine-grain paper.
Watercolor: Winsor & Newton watercolors.
Technique: Mainly «wet on dry» and «wet on dry»  
Format/Size: Landscape; 30 x 40 cm.
Completed: January 2021.

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

I’m always drawn to forgotten architectural spaces, especially when nature slowly reclaims them. The tidal mills of Cádiz are not only beautiful to paint but are also symbols of cultural memory. This work helped me understand the balance between capturing structure and suggesting emotion through brushwork.

Further Exploration

🎨 Check out the rest of my watercolor art collection
🏛️ Learn more about the Tidal Mill of Río Arillo

Have you ever visited a ruin or old building that inspired you artistically? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!