I took this class because I was interested in the techniques, rather than the subject - I wanted to experiment with this kind of abstract watercolour background and apply other mediums over it - ink and wash is very established medium, but there are far fewer artists who put graphite or charcoal or ink over the watercolour, which intrigued me. I did practice all the ideas in class, but as I am travelling, I didn’t have clingfilm or salt, so used humble water spatters and plenty of paint instead.

Rather than the dolphins, I went with a Nautiloid - they are not actually that rare but there are very few places in the world where you can see them as a recreational diver. I haven’t yet…but one day. With that in mind, I drew it in a fairly ephemeral style, trying to make the most of shades of watercolour shining through.

As always a started with some studies in coloured pencil; I had previously experimented with painting this subject, but the Fibonacci-sequence shell didn’t seem to lend itself to watercolour - a failed experiment, but sometimes we have to screw up a few times to land on the right idea. Usually I’d share that process but I am on the road and done have the pictures.

I’ll continue to experiment with the medium - I might try darker colours, masking fluids and inks to create depth in darker subjects, like the white-eyed moray eel I’ve been seeing on my morning dives.