Winner of the Winsor & Newton NZ Summer Watercolour Competition 2021

Kit: This painting is from a series focused on semi-abstracted Wellington landscapes, chiefly painted from imagination. Vibrant apricot and pinks contrasting with splashes of pastel communicate the beauty of the capital built right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The abstracted harbour juxtaposes with the pure architectural lines of the high-rise buildings. Wellington is known for its wind, biting cold in winter, a delicious breeziness in summer. Tiny kites in jewel tones float around on this breeze - Wellington on a summer afternoon, no better place to be.

Judges: A painting with strong emotional appeal. Truly original and beautiful. Outstanding and perfect colour work, patterning and design.

2nd Place

Rebecca: Summer Son was a study in high key, using the lighter end of the value scale. Early January, I had a big studio reorganisation, so this was a fun, no pressure painting to celebrate. The subject is a friend’s son on her wedding day. He looked so sweet with his bow tie and straw hat, I just played up the light and the lovely fresh colours surrounding him. Painted on Fabriano hot press paper using Winsor & Newton watercolours. Thank you.

Judges: Extremely subtle and sensitive painting as regards colour harmony and balance. An honest expression of an appealing child.

3rd place

David: I really do appreciate the opportunity to enter this competition, so thank you to everyone who made it possible. Summer has been a bit mischievous in Dunedin this year, soothing us with sunshine, then exacting a price soon after. This picture was painted during the former. People were enjoying the warmth and the gardens. There is a freshness to these days; we seldom achieve a parched dryness. The sun’s rays bounce off the leaves which sparkle in the sun. Neither are we overcrowded, though more people were around than I included in the painting.

I wanted to convey a relaxed feeling around ducks and pigeons, and a sense of post-lockdown, summer liveliness.

Judges: An authoritative watercolour. An interesting presentation of a family outing. Perfect colour harmony and atmospheric strength.