Chasing the Light: A Lifetime of Discovery in Watercolor with Robert J. O’Brien
With more than five decades of painting experience and recognition from two of the country's leading watercolor societies, artist and instructor Robert J. O’Brien continues to explore the possibilities of watercolor, one brushstroke at a time.
For some artists, inspiration comes and goes. For Robert J. O’Brien, it has never really stopped. What began as an interest in watercolor during high school has grown into a lifelong artistic practice spanning more than five decades. Today, Robert is an accomplished watercolor artist, educator, and Signature Member of both the American Watercolor Society (AWS) and the National Watercolor Society (NWS).
Primarily self-taught, Robert has spent years developing his approach to watercolor through experimentation, workshops, and an ongoing curiosity about the medium. His paintings often explore landscapes, light, and atmosphere, capturing the subtle ways light transforms an ordinary scene into something worth a closer look.
A defining moment in his career came in 2006, when he earned Signature Membership in both the American and National Watercolor Societies. Since 2004, Robert has devoted himself to painting and teaching full time, sharing the techniques and discoveries that have shaped his own artistic journey with students of varying experience levels.
On November 21, Robert will bring that experience to the Center for the Arts for Painting the Vibrant Colors of Fall in Watercolor, a full-day workshop designed to help participants explore the possibilities of watercolor through demonstration, hands-on painting, and individual guidance.
We spoke with Robert about his artistic journey, the challenges and rewards of watercolor, and what continues to inspire him after more than 50 years of painting.
A Lifelong Journey with Watercolor
Q: To begin, could you tell us a little about your artistic journey? How did you first become interested in watercolor, and what led you to pursue a career as a professional artist?
A: I started my watercolor journey in high school and haven't stopped since. I have always been painting as somewhat of a serious hobby and have been painting and teaching full time since 2004.
Q: You've spent more than 50 years developing your artistic practice and have earned recognition from both the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society. Looking back, what experiences, people, or turning points have had the greatest influence on your development as an artist?
A: I am primarily self-taught, though I have taken workshops with well-known and renowned watercolor painters. A big turning point came in 2006 when I was accepted for Signature Membership in both the American and National Watercolor Societies. I give a lot of credit to my high school art teacher way back in the early '70s who lit the spark and has kept me painting to this day.
“My high school art teacher way back in the early '70s lit the spark and has kept me painting to this day.”
Q: Watercolor has a reputation for being both beautiful and challenging. What initially drew you to the medium, and after all these years, what continues to surprise or excite you about working with it?
A: I love the transparency of the medium. I have been able to create realistic light effects that cannot be done in any other medium other than transparent watercolor. I still find it challenging, and that keeps my interest alive.
"I still find it challenging, and that keeps my interest alive."
Finding the Light
Q: Your work often captures the character and atmosphere of landscapes. When you look at a landscape, what catches your eye first? Is it the colors, the quality of light, the composition, or something less tangible that makes you want to paint it?
A: I am always looking for the right light effect. It can be anything from a landscape to a corner of a building or even a window. That is what catches my eye. A good value pattern is always something I'm on the lookout for.
Q: Autumn offers an extraordinary range of color, from brilliant foliage to subtle shifts in light and shadow. What makes painting fall landscapes particularly interesting or challenging in watercolor? How do you approach capturing those vibrant colors without losing the natural feeling of the scene?
A: Autumn is not an easy season to paint. I look for a less colorful scene but with a pop of color or colors interspersed. To me, that adds more interest and excitement to the composition.
"Autumn is not an easy season to paint. I look for a less colorful scene but with a pop of color or colors interspersed."
Q: You often use layering to build depth and vibrancy in your watercolor paintings. Could you explain a little about how this process works and what students might discover when they begin experimenting with layers?
A: I use the layering process to paint my watercolors. It doesn't matter what the subject is. It works well to create depth and realism. Layering colors such as reds and oranges brings out the vibrancy of those colors.
Q: Light and shadow can completely transform a landscape. What do you look for when deciding where to emphasize light, shadow, and contrast, and what advice would you give someone who struggles to capture those elements in their paintings?
A: Light and shadow are essential elements I look for in a subject. Most of my paintings emphasize this. Most students have challenges with painting shadows. My advice is use a big brush and have no fear. It's only a piece of paper and there are two sides to the paper.
“Use a big brush and have no fear. It's only a piece of paper and there are two sides to the paper.”
Q: Over the years, have you developed particular techniques, habits, or ways of approaching a painting that have become central to your work? Are there any lessons you wish you had understood earlier in your artistic journey?
A: A lot of my techniques have come from experimenting. I have made mistakes primarily because I did not know the particular properties of certain colors that I used. This is something I share with my students.
I have made mistakes primarily because I did not know the particular properties of certain colors that I used. This is something I share with my students.
Learning, Experimenting, and Sharing the Process
Q: You've taught watercolor to artists with different backgrounds and experience levels. What do you enjoy most about teaching, and what do you hope students take away from your workshops beyond learning a new technique?
A: I enjoy teaching all levels of ability. I also enjoy giving feedback in the form of gentle critiquing. If a student can learn even one simple trick or technique, then I have achieved my goal.
"If a student can learn even one simple trick or technique, then I have achieved my goal."
Q: Your November workshop at CFA will begin with a demonstration before participants spend the afternoon painting and receiving feedback. What can students expect to see during your demonstration, and what kinds of things will you be looking for when helping them develop their own paintings?
A: I hope students will be able to understand the steps involved in creating a successful watercolor through my demonstrations. I always provide hands-on guidance when my students are painting, no matter what the issue.
Q: For someone who may have some watercolor experience but hasn't painted landscapes before—or who feels a little intimidated by the medium—what would you say to encourage them to give it a try? What do you think makes a successful learning experience for a watercolor student?
A: I always say something to the effect that you have to start somewhere and that it is never too late to pick up a brush. I also emphasize practice and patience. I think quality materials, especially paper, help in making the experience successful and fun.
"I always say something to the effect that you have to start somewhere and that it is never too late to pick up a brush."
Still Finding Inspiration
Q: After more than five decades of painting and teaching, what continues to inspire you to pick up your brushes? Is there a subject, technique, or artistic challenge you still hope to explore?
A: I have explored many subjects in painting and I never get uninspired. There is so much out there waiting to be captured by my brush. I would like to do more in portraiture and figurative work.
"There is so much out there waiting to be captured by my brush."
For Robert, watercolor is as much about curiosity and experimentation as it is about technique. His willingness to keep learning, embrace challenges, and share what he has discovered is a reminder that artistic growth doesn't have an expiration date.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your watercolor skills, experiment with layering and color, or gain confidence painting landscapes, Robert's upcoming workshop offers an opportunity to learn directly from an experienced artist and instructor.
Join Robert J. O’Brien for Painting the Vibrant Colors of Fall in Watercolor!
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 10 AM–4 PM
Center for the Arts | New London, NH
All experience levels welcome
$100 CFA members | $110 nonmembers
10 participant spots
Robert will lead a demonstration and guide participants through an afternoon of painting, offering hands-on instruction, individual feedback, and practical techniques to help bring watercolor paintings to life.
Come ready to experiment, learn something new, and pick up your brush!
