The Bridge of Sighs, St. John's College, University of Cambridge Print

The inspiration for this painting was my visit to Cambridge (not Venice!) Painted on ARCHES, 300g, hot pressed watercolour paper (which has a smooth surface finish) with Winsor & Newton paints. Unframed, unmounted. Painted to the edge of the paper. The focus of the piece is of course the glorious architecture with the play of the light on the stonework. The punting provides a contrast to the formality of the bridge. The composition is tied together by the matching colour of the stone and the foreground water, but also by the green of the trees reflected again under the bridge. The trees were done partly by spattering paint on with a toothbrush. The resulting texture also contrasts with the smoothness of the water. If you want the painting to really stand out then paying a professional framer will give you best results. But if you look in your art supplies shop you can find the materials to create your own mount and frame.