The Well
Another watercolour on the theme of ‘forgotten places’. This medieval well is one of three to be found on the site of the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh. Now sealed off, these wells were a source of water for victims of the plague who found refuge at the chapel of St. Roque in the 15th and 16th centuries.
The appeal of this scene, for me, lies in the variety of shapes created by the foliage, and the rich earthy colours of the foreground. I’ve been experimenting with watercolours crayons in my last few paintings which allows me to experiment with texture.
Making progress
I’ve added quite a lot of detail now, creating more depth and texture. The well is partially obscured by the rich foliage and there is an almost tropical feel to the scene, created by the ferns and rotting undergrowth. I’ve used watercolour pencils to emphasise highlights and lowlights, sometimes wet on wet and occasionally dry to create a different texture.
The finished peice
Art by Smart 
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