The Art of Watercolour with Charles Evans

Acclaimed British artist Charles Evans, drawing from his book The Art of Watercolour, demonstrates a captivating method for painting an overcast landscape, infusing technique with atmosphere and balance.

Key Techniques Explored

• Start with simple line and layout
  Charles sketches a basic composition and proceeds with four essential brushes: a 1.5-inch flat, ¾-inch flat, an 8 round, and a 4 rigger, each serving a clear purpose in his layering process.

• Build an atmospheric sky
  Apply lots of water to the paper using a 1.5-inch flat brush. Begin at the bottom with yellow ochre, blend into burnt sienna, and finish with ultramarine blue mixed with a hint of burnt sienna for depth. This smooth gradient conveys the layered greys of an overcast sky, remembering that watercolour always dries lighter.
  To form cloud shapes, use a clean, watered-down brush to lift paint gently, washing between each cloud to keep edges soft and varied.

• Layer in the foreground and hills
  Once the sky has dried, begin adding foreground forms using yellow ochre and a mix of Hooker’s Green with burnt sienna. Charles advises against using Hooker’s Green on its own, noting that it rarely appears natural on its own.
  Use a blend of raw umber and ultramarine blue for sepia tones, and mix ultramarine blue with burnt sienna to produce a more natural-looking black, superior to straight black pigment for depth and harmony.
  While painting, stay active, move around, observe drying edges, and respond as the paint behaves.

• Add structure with drystone wall details
  Near the end of the video, Charles reveals how he builds the texture of an old stone wall. Layered tones and soft brush strokes bring subtle realism without overwhelming the scene.

Why This Lesson Matters

This demonstration is a masterclass in using watercolour’s strengths to evoke mood and distance, without overworking. Charles Evans shows that the right brush, thoughtful colour mixes, and delicate layering make all the difference in creating an expressive yet grounded landscape.

His approach reveals how tonal harmony and thoughtful pigment choices, like mixing your own earth tones and blacks, help your painting feel coherent, atmospheric, and intentional. The simple yet effective process is accessible but also deeply rewarding for artists seeking depth in their work.