‘Understory,Fairy Dell’ diptych watercolour on Blue Lake rag paper w39cmxh26cm.

Judge’s comments:

As an artist who often works in watercolour this painting appealed.

It demonstrated how a watercolour, a difficult and demanding medium can when it is successful operate in an aesthetic realm like no other medium. The painting suggests knowledge of that great Romantic landscape tradition of watercolour. The transparent colours and rich translucent shadow suggest an enclosed woodland glade dazzling with filtered light, suggesting both a sense of sinister and imaginative magic. It shows that delightful relationship where technique and intention are synonymous with each aspect influencing and being dependant on the other. This was a watercolour I would have been proud to have made.

Graham Marchant.