A reflection on light, solitude, and the quiet dignity of everyday life

About the Painting Process

This watercolor belongs to my ongoing series “Other Times”, inspired by old black-and-white photographs that I reinterpret freely. The reference image came from one of Gibraltar’s many hidden alleyways—those narrow, charming passages that reveal their beauty only at certain hours of the day. Because of their orientation and depth, the light in these streets can shift dramatically throughout the day: sometimes flat and dull, sometimes striking and full of atmosphere.

When I came across this photograph, I was captivated by the subtle light falling across the steps and walls—a quiet moment far from the noise of the main streets. It’s one of those passages that feels cool in summer and sheltered in winter, where time seems to move more slowly.

Here, the challenge was not complexity but restraint: to capture serenity through balance—between light and shade, geometry and softness, structure and silence.

Materials and Technical Details

📐 Size: 56 × 76 cm
🔲 Format: Vertical (Imperial)
📄 Paper: Hahnemühle, 600 g
🎨 Watercolors: Schmincke Horadam
🖌️ Brushes: Escoda Reserva (Kolinsky sable), Escoda Aquarius (natural mop)
📅 Date: October 2025
🎨 Palette: Ultramarine violet, magenta, cadmium yellow, burnt sienna

1. Composition and Structure

The composition follows a closed, upward design. The archway frames the stairs, leading the viewer’s eye naturally toward the figure and beyond, into the light. The plants in the foreground establish depth and shadow, while the vertical ascent of the stairs gives rhythm and direction. Each plane is carefully differentiated—foreground in shade, midground with definition, and background fading softly into distance.

2. Light and Narrative

Light plays the central role here, though quietly. It doesn’t dramatize; it reveals. The scene captures a gentle equilibrium between illuminated surfaces and shadowed corners. The man ascending the stairs becomes both subject and metaphor: a moment of solitude and routine, where the light signifies persistence and peace rather than revelation.

3. Color and Atmosphere

The palette is intentionally reduced. Violet and sienna dominate, while touches of magenta and cadmium yellow create subtle warmth amid cooler hues. The harmony of these tones evokes stillness and introspection, as if the air itself were tinted with memory. The absence of strong contrasts enhances the contemplative atmosphere—calm, distant, and timeless.

4. Detail and Texture

The painting relies on suggestion more than precision. The foreground plants are loosely rendered to keep them in shadow and prevent distraction. The textures of the steps and walls, though softly treated, give weight to the architecture. Transitions are controlled, mostly wet-on-wet in the distant areas and more defined in the middle plane.

5. Narrative and Reflection

Beyond its architectural appeal, this piece is about presence and passage. The figure’s slow ascent suggests the rhythm of everyday life—the silent dignity of routine, the persistence of time, the beauty of what remains unspoken. In this way, The Quiet Ascent in Gabino’s Court becomes a quiet meditation on solitude and memory within light.

Final Thoughts

This watercolor seeks balance rather than spectacle. It is a portrait of calm: a man, a staircase, and a fleeting beam of light that unites them. The scene may belong to Gibraltar, but its essence—light, quiet, and the slow pace of life—belongs everywhere.

You can explore the rest of my watercolor collection by clicking the link below.
🔗 [View Portfolio]