Watercolor Painting of a Trout  - Time Lapse from Live Lesson

Informational Paintings and Watercolor

Watercolor is a great medium for works of art that are scientific in nature or are meant to be informative.  I have always been a bit interested in scientific paintings and drawings. When I was in school, I would spend hours studying the drawings and paintings in my science textbooks, concentrating on the brush strokes and marks maybe a bit more than the content.   There is a level of detail in informative drawings and paintings that I feel is somehow lost in photography.  Some subjects perhaps will always translate better as drawings or paintings, especially when the intent is to create an image that is informational.

But just because a painting or a drawing is informational, doesn't mean that it can't be a beautiful work of art.  The attention to detail, brushwork, and craftsmanship in some informational paintings rival many works by masters.  

Fish as Subjects in Art

Fish are great subjects for informative paintings. Throughout history, fish have been depicted in a variety of different art forms.  Bright colors and intricate textures found on fish have attracted artists for centuries.  The natural beauty of the fish's habitat makes a nice setting for a work of art. 

One of the most beautiful fish is a trout.  The deep greens and streaks of light red contrast with each other nicely, considering that red and green are complementary colors   The spots provide a visual texture that compliments the well-proportioned body.  (It helps that trout is delicious as a meal.)    

In the marketplace, paintings of this subject matter are popular with hunters and fishermen or simply with people that enjoy the outdoors. 

So for this live lesson, I take a look at creating an informational watercolor painting of a trout.

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