Salt, Sun, and the Ghosts of Workdays Past

Some places seem to hold the weight of forgotten stories. The abandoned salt flats and crumbling buildings of the Bay of Cádiz are filled with that kind of silent presence—witnesses to a glorious past that you can almost feel in the air. The rear view of “La Salina de Dolores” is not as often depicted as its main entrance, but it carries the same magic. And perhaps even more mystery.

The light here is harsh and pure—almost blinding at midday. The blues are deep and striking, while the ochres and golden dry grasses glow with quiet intensity. I’ve taken countless photos of this area over the years: crumbling walls, salt pools, ancient tide mills and sluices… a whole world of painting material. I had previously painted the front of this same building in “The Old Gate of Salina de Dolores”, but now I wanted to approach it from a new perspective.

This view allowed me to focus on the textures of the decaying limestone walls and the intensity of the light. My goal was not just to reproduce a scene, but to transport the viewer to a different time—where the past still lingers and the sun makes you squint as if stepping into memory.

Preliminary Sketch and Color Study

This study helped me define the compositional balance and tonal structure, as well as test the palette for this new paper and pigment combination. The ochres, warm greys, and vibrant sky blues were essential in capturing the unique atmosphere.

Materials and Technical Details

🎨 Medium: M. Graham watercolors
📄 Paper: Baohong “Master Choice”, 300g rough grain cotton paper
📐 Size: 36 x 51 cm
📅 Date: November 2024
🔲 Format: Landscape
🎨 Palette: Ochres, warm greys, and ultramarine blues for high-contrast sunlight and stone texture

Final Notes / Artist’s Reflection

This piece was both a technical and emotional challenge. I was trying two new tools: a different paper and a new brand of watercolors. M. Graham paints are honey-based and have a distinct creamy consistency, which takes some getting used to. The Baohong paper also has a unique texture—perfect for atmospheric effects and soft edges. Once I adapted, I truly enjoyed the process.

The result feels like a success—not just for the final image, but for the experience it brought. I hope it takes you, even for a moment, to the sun-soaked silence of these abandoned salt flats.

Further Exploration

Want to see the front view of this same building? Click here to see “The Old Gate of Salina de Dolores.”

🧭 Discover more paintings from the Cádiz salt flats and rural Andalusia in my portfolio.

Have you ever been drawn to places that feel forgotten but full of soul? Share your thoughts below or tell me what this painting reminds you of.