Learning Through Light—and Mistakes

Watercolor painting on paper based in the Catalan Bay, Gibraltar.

This watercolor of Catalan Bay is a reminder that not every painting turns out the way we imagine—but every painting teaches us something. I wasn’t satisfied with the final result of this piece, and I can clearly identify the mistakes that I’ve since learned from and avoided repeating.

From the beginning, the approach may have been flawed. I wanted to capture the charm of this beach in Gibraltar, but I had no strong reference photo—just one taken on a cloudy Levante day, lacking light and atmosphere.

I remember my older sister, a great artist herself, once said:

“Be careful with greens. They’re very tricky.”

At the time, I didn’t fully understand what she meant. But working on this piece, that phrase stayed with me. The background—the vegetation and the rock—was too intense and defined, pulling attention away from the foreground, which should have been the true focal point: the beach and the iconic houses.

Still, I believe in finishing every painting, even those that don’t meet my expectations. They serve as markers in the path of improvement.

Materials and Technical Details

Paper: Arches, 300g rough-grain paper.
Watercolor: Winsor & Newton watercolors.
Technique: Mainly «wet on dry» and «dry on dry»  
Format/Size: Landscape; 21 x 29 cm.
Completed: November 2021.

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

Sometimes the most valuable paintings are not the most beautiful, but the ones that teach us the most. This work reminded me of the power of restraint—of knowing when to hold back in detail and color intensity, especially in the background.

H2: Further Exploration

🎨 Check out the rest of my watercolor painting collection
🖼️ Artists exhibited in Gibraltar

Have you ever created something that didn’t turn out as planned but taught you something important? Feel free to share your story or thoughts below.