How to Depict Distance and Depth in Watercolor Painting

May 25, 2026

One of the rules about visual expression is that texture and contrast brings an area forward in your painting. So how do you handle a scene where there is a lot of detail in the background?

In a reference photo like the one above, it can be tricky to know how to to handle the level of detail on the hills while also depicting the distance and depth of the scene.

Let me show you my process for this painting!