from Kenn Backhaus

Kenn discusses the techniques and elements used to create the illusion of depth in water scenes. He shows how he uses various elements both above and below the water's surface to achieve this effect. Kenn discusses the importance of color transitions, texture, reflections, ripples, and shadows in creating a sense of depth. Kenn encourages artists to consider these elements when painting water scenes to make them more realistic and immersive.

How do we create the illusion of depth in our water scenes? Below is a scene Kenn painted at Glacier National Park in Montana. He came across a wonderful pool from a mountain stream with sunken logs under and above the water. He knew it would be a wonderful challenge to do a painting that created an illusion. What’s important is that some of the elements are not only in the water but also in the other areas above the water. This also helps contrast the illusion of the water depth.

Part of the scene at the top was a gravel bar that was above the surface of the water. You can see the ochre-color start to transcened into a green-ochre, then blue, then more of an aqua color. You have areas of old sticks, trees, and a support system. All of these elements set up the idea that these things are all above the water. As you get further back into the scene and you are not looking in the water, you start to see more of a reflection of other things in the scene. You can also see leaves on the water that came from those trees in the scene. All of these elements come together to create the illusion of depth.

There was also the large granite rock on the right partly coming out of the water (see below). Kenn added texture to this because texture is another thing that helps create a contrast between what’s above the surface and what’s below the surface. You do not see as much of the texture below the water, but you can see the rock is descending below. The light also can’t hit as much on the rock underwater as it does above. This gives our viewers the idea that depth and water exists in the painting. You have to define the elements that you are working with, and then try to paint those transitions.

You also have reflection and ripples in the water you can utilize for movement. The deeper you go into the water, the less you can make of the rock. The color shifts to more of a blue-green which enhances the look of the depth. It also has logs below the surface. We know these are logs because of the logs in the background above water. Same with the rocks below the surface. There is a slight distortion to the shapes and they bend with the water and create a look of movement. The little details like this give perspective to the scene and convey the whole story. The logs in the back help to tell the story of what you are seeing in the water. The whole scene ties together to give us the illusion of depth.

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