Sometimes the best lesson comes from recognizing when a painting isn’t working—and having the courage to start over. In this watercolor demonstration, I revisit a Ponte Vecchio scene that became overworked during a recent live stream, applying one of watercolor’s most important principles: simplicity wins.
The Challenge: Overworked vs. Fresh
During my live stream, I painted two Florence scenes. While my first piece—a view of the Duomo—turned out beautifully fresh and simple, my second attempt at the famous Ponte Vecchio became muddy and overworked, especially in the water reflections. Instead of leaving it as a “learning experience,” I decided to demonstrate the value of trying again.
Key Lessons Demonstrated:
Keep It Simple: The Ponte Vecchio’s charm lies in its essential elements—three graceful archways, simple rooftop structures, and gentle water reflections. You don’t need to count every window or capture every architectural detail.
Trust the Process: When watercolor goes wrong, it’s usually because we’ve tried to do too much. The second version focuses on capturing the flavor and quality of light rather than precise details.
Live Stream vs. Studio: Sometimes the pressure of painting live can make us hurried and anxious, leading to overworking. This comparison shows how the same subject can have completely different outcomes based on our mindset and approach.
Know When to Stop: The magic moment in watercolor often comes early. Learning to recognize and preserve that freshness is crucial to successful paintings.
The Technique:
- Minimal sketch: Just enough lines to establish the basic structure
- Simple palette: No need to complicate with too many colors
- Wet-on-wet sky: A bright turquoise that flows naturally into the water reflections
- Confident brushwork: Decisive marks that capture the essence without fussing
The Result:
Two paintings that now work as a harmonious pair—both celebrating the beauty of Florence with fresh, confident watercolor technique. Sometimes the best way forward is to start over with what you’ve learned.
