The watercolour was preceeded by several explorations into the final image. Many possible perspectives presented themselves, I ultimately chose a focus on the western tower. A couple quick sketches during the first session at the site helped determined a favoured angle. Most of the better angles involved shooting in the direction of the Sun, deminishing detail, dulling color and making a need for an early morning session obvious.

With a sense of the desired final image in mind, photographs were taken with the tower illuminated by the first rays of the dawn Sun. The inspiring colors made it clear that this image needed more than pencil to really capture. A few discared beverage containers were collected up (who would toss their trash here?!?) and filled with water from the loch so an element of physical environment could become part of the final image.

To get a feel for the stark dawn lighting of the image a more detailed pencil drawing was developed from the photo that would be used for the final painting.

With a precise vision of the final piece in mind, the water brought back from Lock Awe was thawed and became the final watercolour. The tree casting the shadow to the right in the photograph was not within the frame. Having no way to visually explain the shadow I chose to omitted it.