Watercolour painting has long been celebrated as a medium uniquely suited for capturing the ephemeral beauty of the natural world. In our 15 years installing… From the shimmering reflections of a mountain lake to the delicate petals of a wildflower, the fluid and luminous qualities of watercolours lend themselves perfectly to depicting the ever-changing landscapes and intricate details found in the great outdoors.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
For experienced artist and adventurer Tony Foster, exploring and painting the wilderness has been a lifelong passion. Over the past three decades, he has travelled to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth, sketchbook and paint box in hand, to document the natural wonders he encounters. Foster’s dedication to this pursuit has resulted in a remarkable body of work that not only showcases his technical mastery of the medium but also his deep reverence for the fragile environments he has so carefully preserved on paper.
Watercolour Journeys: Painting from Life in the Wild
Unlike many contemporary artists who work primarily from photographic references, Foster embraces the challenges and rewards of painting directly from life. Whether trekking through the Himalayas, rafting down the Colorado River, or navigating the dense rainforests of Borneo, he immerses himself fully in his surroundings, living and working on site for extended periods to capture the essence of each location.
“There is nothing like actually making the journey to a place and physically spending time there, to experience the entire sensory richness,” Foster explains. “That can never be replicated, and of course there is the sense of satisfaction of actually having got yourself to this place and survived whatever adventures you had on the way.”
Indeed, the expeditions Foster undertakes to reach his painting destinations are often as arduous as the act of painting itself. Hiking for miles, enduring extreme weather conditions, and relying on the bare essentials for survival, he pushes the boundaries of what is physically possible to create his breathtaking watercolour landscapes. ”When I was doing the painting in the Andes in Chile, one evening I was camped at 15,500 feet and I was on my own, sitting behind a rock trying to get out of this piercing, bitterly cold wind, eating my dinner out of a foil bag,” he recalls. “I then crawled into my tent to escape the wind and I thought, ‘What am I doing this for? I’m nearly 70 years old. This is an absurd way to make a living.’ But then you get the painting home and you think, ‘Actually it was worth it’.”
Despite the physical challenges, Foster’s dedication to the process is evident in the level of detail and nuance he is able to capture in his watercolour paintings. From the delicate textures of a weathered rock face to the shimmering light dancing on a mountain stream, his works convey a profound understanding and appreciation of the natural world that can only be achieved through patient, immersive observation.
As nature illustrator Rosalie Haizlett explains, “Rosalie Haizlett will be your guide, coach and support system as you venture out in nature with brush and palette.” In a similar vein, Foster’s role is that of a dedicated explorer, meticulously documenting his journeys through the medium of watercolour.
Preserving Precious Landscapes
Beyond the technical mastery and sheer physical endurance required to create his works, Foster’s paintings serve a deeper purpose: to raise awareness and inspire the protection of the fragile wilderness environments he has so painstakingly documented.
“I think that people perhaps don’t realise quite how under threat these places are,” he says. “I want people to realise that, and to think that they are extraordinarily beautiful and should be preserved for that reason.”
This sentiment is echoed by the The Foster Art & Wilderness Foundation, an organization established by one of Foster’s patrons to promote environmental education through the exhibition of his work. The foundation’s mission is to “share artist explorer Tony Foster’s powerful exhibitions of watercolour journeys to inspire reflection, discussion, and education about art, wilderness and the natural world.”
By showcasing Foster’s paintings in museum and gallery settings, the foundation aims to foster a deeper connection between viewers and the natural landscapes depicted, ultimately inspiring a greater appreciation and desire to protect these precious ecosystems. As one visitor to the foundation’s inaugural exhibition remarked, “I hadn’t realised that there were such beautiful places in our world.”
Painting the Extraordinary and the Everyday
While Foster’s work has often focused on capturing the grandeur of the world’s most renowned natural wonders, he also believes that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places. To that end, his latest exhibition, “Exploring Beauty: Watercolour Diaries from the Wild,” features a diverse array of subjects, from the iconic glaciers of Greenland to the humble wildflowers blooming in his own backyard in Cornwall, England.
“As a contrast to places of global renown I also made a group of works about places I can walk to from my home in Cornwall, as evidence that beauty can be found on one’s own doorstep,” he explains.
This approach, of finding the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary, is a testament to Foster’s keen powers of observation and his ability to see the world through a unique artistic lens. By turning his attention to the natural wonders that might otherwise be overlooked, he encourages viewers to slow down, to truly see the beauty that surrounds them, and to recognize the inherent value of even the most humble of natural spaces.
As writer Cecily Grange observes, “You can see people have this sense that this is fresh air,” when viewing Foster’s paintings. “On a subconscious level, people are able to connect with the way he created his paintings.”
Watercolour Techniques for Capturing the Natural World
Foster’s mastery of the watercolour medium is evident in the remarkable level of detail and atmospheric quality he is able to achieve in his paintings. From the luminous washes that capture the shifting light on a mountainside to the delicate, precise brushwork used to render the intricate textures of foliage or rock formations, his technical skills are a testament to a lifetime of dedicated practice and experimentation.
One of the key techniques Foster employs is the wet-on-wet, or “alla prima,” approach, which allows him to create fluid, spontaneous passages of colour that evoke the constantly evolving nature of the natural world. By applying pigment to damp paper, he is able to achieve soft, diffused edges and a sense of atmosphere that is difficult to replicate with other painting methods.
Foster also frequently incorporates mixed media elements into his works, incorporating found objects such as feathers, seeds, or volcanic dust to add layers of tactile interest and symbolism. These “souvenirs” from his expeditions serve not only as physical reminders of his journeys but also as a means of further immersing the viewer in the specific time and place depicted.
In addition to these experimental techniques, Foster also maintains a strong foundation in the fundamentals of watercolour painting, such as color theory, composition, and the rendering of realistic details. His ability to seamlessly blend these approaches results in a body of work that is both visually stunning and conceptually rich.
Inspiring a New Generation of Artists
As an artist who has dedicated his life to exploring and preserving the natural world through his art, Tony Foster has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the creative landscape. His unwavering commitment to the medium of watercolour and his tireless expeditions to the far reaches of the globe have not only produced a remarkable body of work but have also inspired a new generation of artists to follow in his footsteps.
Pencil and Paint Muse, an online platform dedicated to providing resources and inspiration for aspiring artists, has featured Foster’s work extensively, highlighting his unique approach to capturing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
“Tony Foster’s paintings clearly embody the time and thoughtfulness with which they were created,” notes the website. “When asked what impression he hoped to have on his audience, Foster said, ‘If they were awestruck by the extraordinary nature of these wonderful places in the world then that would be great. Also, of course, I would like them to have some sort of emotional response to the work.'”
It is this ability to evoke a deeply personal and emotional response in the viewer that sets Foster’s work apart and makes it such a powerful tool for inspiring greater environmental awareness and stewardship. By sharing his own profound reverence for the natural world, he encourages others to open their eyes to the beauty that surrounds them and to consider their role in preserving it for future generations.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions and a growing disconnect from the natural environment, the work of artists like Tony Foster serves as a vital reminder of the transformative power of art to bridge that divide and foster a deeper connection to the world we inhabit. Through his watercolour journeys, he invites us to slow down, to truly see, and to appreciate the extraordinary beauty that can be found in even the most humble of natural spaces.
Tip: Experiment with different media to discover your unique style