“Before DANIEL SMITH, I had never used colours that on their own can generate textures and granulations by simply adding water. Bloodstone Genuine, Piemontite Genuine, Lunar Black, Lunar Blue, Moonglow and Cascade Green are surprising and perfectly unpredictable. Chinese White, Payne’s Gray, Ultramarine Blue and Lavender are foundation colours that support the expressiveness in my work. With these ten colours, I can represent the essence of the places I want to embrace by respecting the language of water and its freedom.”

Watercolor is often described as a collaboration between artist and medium. Rather than controlling every mark, the painter learns to work with the natural movement of water, allowing it to shape the story unfolding on the paper. In this approach, water becomes more than a vehicle for pigment—it becomes an active creative partner.

Artist Nicolás López embraces this philosophy in his exploration of The Language of Water, a process that invites artists to discover the meaning and expressive power of water within the watercolor landscape.

“Using the language of the water Nicolas explores the fundamental resources to figure out the meaning of water inside the watercolor landscape.  He draws some basic architectural lines directly on the paper with his brush in order to avoid too much detail and rigidity in the composition.  Thus, he will allow the water to simplify the elements in his compositions and to paint together with him in a creative respectful dialogue.” — The Language of Watercolor, Nicolás López

More about Nicolás López’s artistic process and the role water plays in shaping his work.

In one sentence, how would you describe “The Language of Water”?

The language of water is understanding that the fluidity and freedom of water take on a leading role within the artwork, placing the brush and technical control in a secondary position.

Can you share three tips for establishing simple architectural lines in your paintings?

• Mastery of linear perspective while maintaining the freehand expressiveness of the brush.
• Blocking in forms to establish and control spatial relationships.
• Maintaining at least three dominant tonal values throughout the composition.

Can you elaborate this sentence – Allowing Water to Simplify the Landscape

It means flexibility and openness to the surprises created by water, allowing forms to emerge that help define and clarify the drawing.

How do you respond to unexpected effects?

I seek those unexpected discoveries, often creating them accidentally to break away from my structural framework and to embrace mistakes as a natural part of the process.

What does “finding the essence instead of the details” mean to you, and how is it reflected in your artistic process?

It is about enjoying the process and letting go of the pressure and responsibility of creating a “masterpiece.” Water is a channel of energy that, when embraced as a creative partner, ceases to be something to struggle with as a matter of technical control and mastery.

Nicolas has inspired artists and creative communities throughout his artistic journey with his unique approach to color and expression. His deep connection to color and the way he interprets the world around him are beautifully reflected in the thoughtfully curated palette of the DANIEL SMITH Nicolas Lopez Artist Set. Each color was carefully selected to support the expressive, atmospheric style that has become a hallmark of his work.

This set of earthy, textural tones was created by Nicolas Lopez. Nicolas comes from a family of artists who value art, which helped him develop his own skills as a multi-disciplinary artist. Click each color to learn more about its properties.

Ready to explore a more intuitive and expressive approach to watercolor?

Join Nicolás López for immersive workshops on July 31–August 2 at Arts House West in Grass Valley, California, and August 8–10 in Chicago, Illinois, where you’ll learn to simplify complex landscapes, paint with confidence using direct brushwork, and develop a deeper understanding of watercolor’s most powerful creative partner—water itself.

Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and hands-on painting sessions, Nicolás will share his distinctive approach to creating atmospheric landscapes that balance structure with spontaneity. Whether you’re looking to loosen your style, strengthen your understanding of watercolor, or embrace the unexpected, these workshops offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from an internationally acclaimed watercolor artist and discover the creative possibilities that emerge when you let water lead the way.

To learn more about Nicolás López’s workshop at Arts House West in Grass Valley, California, contact DANIEL SMITH Brand Ambassador Stella Canfield at artshousewest@gmail.com or visit: https://artshousewest.com/nicolas-lopez/.

For the Chicago workshop, contact Ingrid Art Originals at ingrid@ingridartoriginals.com or visit: https://l1nq.com/zuyyoyi