Atmospheric Buildings in Watercolour

A comprehensive and practical guide to painting watercolour buildings with atmosphere, character and accuracy, from renowned artist Nicholas Poullis.

Atmospheric Buildings in Watercolour is a masterclass of insight, technique, and inspiration for confident beginner and intermediate-level artists looking to discover key watercolour techniques, as well as more experienced painters looking to hone their skills.

Painting buildings is about more than faithfully describing the architecture—successful watercolour paintings must also contain character, ambience, and a sense of place. In this clearly explained and highly visual guide, master artist Nicholas Poullis shows you how to harness classic watercolour techniques to achieve paintings that are both accurate and inspiring.

Tackle essential technical aspects including light, composition, perspective, and drawing. Overcome the challenges of balance, simplification, and—crucially—how to avoid overworking.

Discover dozens of Nicholas's inspirational artworks and follow six inspiring, varied stage-by-stage projects. Develop your knowledge with skill-building tips and ideas scattered throughout. Gain the confidence and conviction to apply the techniques you learn to painting your own favourite buildings.

Endorsements from other leading artists and experts:

"Nicholas's paintings exude a wonderfully fresh and vibrant feel, with some innovative and daring compositions. There is a crispness in the execution of those controlled washes with a splendid sense of clarity and colour harmony. Pure watercolour practised in the most capable hands can appear deceptively simple to the observer's eye, but in fact is the culmination of a lifetime's careful observation and much experimentation with the media. Nicholas's formidable works demonstrate an artist at the peak of his creative powers." - David Curtis ROI RSMA

"Nicholas's thoughtful engagement with the processes of watercolour goes beyond the mastering of the inherently challenging techniques of this medium. He has a refreshingly broad view of the possibilities of watercolour, and whilst he doesn't claim that the medium is easy, he produces light-filled compositions that are fresh and expressive, and easily capture the atmosphere of the scene or place." - Dr Sally Bulgin, The Artist

"Watercolour painting is like playing a single beautiful instrument. Nicholas has tuned his instrument to express the beauty of nature to a rare degree. 'Leave out but never add' was the cry of John Sell Cotman, one of Britain's finest watercolourists, and this is exemplified in Nicholas's work." - Professor Ken Howard OBE Royal Academician