Capturing a Gibraltar Landmark with Perspective and Restraint

This painting depicts one of the oldest and most iconic pubs in Gibraltar — The Angry Friar, located right in front of the Governor’s Convent. I took the reference photo myself, which is always an advantage: I was able to think about composition and framing in advance, while preserving the natural charm of the original scene.

The artwork is built around a frontal perspective with a single vanishing point, placing the viewer directly in front of the building. Given my natural inclination toward realism, the greatest challenge was to hold back and not overwork the detail. Still, the result ended up being slightly more realistic than I initially intended, though I’m pleased with the overall balance.

Materials and Technical Details

Paper: Arches, 300g fine-grain paper.
Watercolor: Schmincke Horadam watercolors.
Technique: Mainly «wet on dry» and «dry on dry»  
Format/Size: Landscape; 51 x 36 cm.
Completed: February 2023.

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

I’ve always been fascinated by architectural scenes, and this was no exception. There’s something satisfying about working with strong geometry while trying to keep the atmosphere loose. It’s a balancing act between structure and freedom — and The Angry Friar gave me the perfect excuse to explore that.

Further Exploration

To check out the rest of my watercolor paintings collection, click on this link. https://juananelo.wordpress.com/porfolio/

Artists exhibited in Gibraltar. https://www.culture.gi/art-galleries/

What do you think about this watercolor? I’d love to hear your thoughts below — or feel free to share it with someone who loves architecture and urban scenes