About THomas Willicombe

I look to my interests when finding inspiration for my next painting. I look for intriguing compositions and snapshots of memories -- from enjoying a cigar, traveling, being out in nature, stopping to admire a flower, and of course who can’t resist man’s best friend. Each of my paintings tell a little bit about me and my ventures.

If you enjoy my style but can’t find the right painting, connect with me about commissioning a piece! I would be more than happy to create a painting just for you.

Thanks for visiting,

-Thomas Willicombe

Why watercolor?

I enjoy the patient, methodical process involved with painting in watercolor and the grit of sticking through with a painting even if it feels like it’s not working out. I enjoy being up close to the paper, meticulous with the details and textures of my painting.

Watercolor can produce effects which other mediums cannot match. It has an immediacy from the fluidity of the paint and a serendipitous mixing of colors that happen on the paper. I am drawn to watercolor because of its versatility, from smooth transparency, to built-up texture through layers of color. I can make changes while the paint is drying by adding more colors, or taking them away. Watercolor is all about the dichotomy of control, complete or lack-thereof. There is nothing like releasing a wash and allowing the colors to travel and mix on their own, or creating textures through tight controlled brushstrokes.

I love the decisive nature of watercolor.  You have to be all in on each decision you make, there is no time to be timid.  Watercolor can be unforgiving because of this. To me, watercolor is like live music. Just as the musician cannot go back during a performance and fix a wrong note, with painting you cannot hide behind repainting over errors.  You have to just accept the mistakes into the process and work through them. I call it the Bob Ross approach. “No mistakes just happy accidents”.