Watercolor painting based in a popular Health Store in Gibraltar.

When Light Transforms the Ordinary

This painting is a great example of how a simple street scene can become extraordinary depending on the light. I fell in love with this motif the moment I saw the photo — I instantly knew how I wanted to approach the painting.

That’s the magic of Gibraltar’s streets: at one time of day, a scene may look unremarkable, and just hours later, the sun pierces through the buildings and transforms the space with color and atmosphere.

In this case, the sun created intense contrasts between light and shadow, revealing textures and bringing out a vibrant play of complementary colors. I used a dry watercolor technique, highly saturated and bold — not the typical “canon” approach, but it’s what this painting needed.

Materials and Technical Details

Paper: Arches 300g fine-grain paper.
Watercolor: Winsor & Newton watercolors.
Technique: Mainly «wet on dry» and «dry on dry»  
Format/Size: Portrait; 51 x 36 cm.
Completed: October 2021.

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

This work reminded me that rules are just tools. The best paintings often come from listening to the subject itself — letting it tell you what it needs. In this case, the unconventional approach brought out the energy I felt when I first saw that street lit by the morning sun.

Further Exploration

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

Have you ever walked down a familiar street and suddenly seen it in a completely new light? Let me know in the comments or share this post with someone who sees the beauty in everyday places.