How to Paint Fog in Watercolor | Creating an Atmospheric Edinburgh Painting
Creating believable fog in watercolor is one of the most challenging atmospheric effects artists attempt. In this demonstration, I show how I transformed a photograph of St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh into a misty watercolor painting using opaque layers and a watercolor pouring technique.
One of the things I love about teaching watercolor classes and workshops is that it constantly forces me to experiment.
I teach regularly in the Raleigh/Durham area, my home base, but I also travel throughout the country teaching specialized workshops. Working with students of all skill levels keeps me exploring new techniques because I don’t want to simply repeat the same demonstrations over and over.
I want to challenge my students.
More importantly, I want to challenge myself.
Some of the biggest breakthroughs in painting come from mistakes. (And yes, I make plenty of them. Let’s just politely agree not to discuss the November 2025 floral disaster that I am still emotionally recovering from.)
Every painting teaches you something—even the ones you would prefer to hide in a closet.
Turning a Photograph Into Something More
For this painting of St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, I wanted to create a cold, atmospheric foggy morning.
The interesting thing?
The original photograph did not look like this.
And that is one of the greatest advantages of being a painter rather than a photographer.
Before becoming a full-time watercolor artist, I worked professionally as a photographer. Photography is about capturing what exists in front of you.
Painting gives you something different.
You can take what you saw and transform it into what you wish you had seen.
Maybe the light was better.
Maybe the weather was more dramatic.
Maybe the fog rolled in at exactly the right moment.
A camera records reality.
A painting allows you to reinterpret it.
For this piece, I used my photograph as the foundation, but I changed the atmosphere completely by inventing a misty Edinburgh morning that existed only in my imagination.
How Do You Create Fog in Watercolor?
Creating fog in watercolor is one of those techniques that looks simple when done correctly but can be surprisingly difficult.
There are several ways to create atmospheric effects.
One option is to allow the original paint layers to dry completely and then gently lift color with a damp brush. This can soften edges and create lighter passages.
The problem?
You can accidentally remove the beautiful dark passages you’ve already spent hours creating.
And yes, I know this from experience.
Watercolor has a sense of humor.
Another approach is to use a watercolor pouring hybrid technique, applying lighter, more opaque colors over dry transparent layers.
This is the method I chose for this painting.
By adding opaque colors over the dried layers, I could create the illusion of fog drifting through the scene while preserving the deep shadows of the cathedral and surrounding buildings.
The dark architecture remained intact, but the atmosphere completely changed.
The Magic of Watercolor: Creating What Wasn’t There
This is one of the reasons I love watercolor so much.
The reference photograph is only the beginning.
The painting doesn’t have to be a copy.
Instead, it becomes a conversation between reality and imagination.
The photograph gave me:
- the architecture of St. Giles Cathedral
- the composition
- the perspective
- the basic value structure
But the painting allowed me to add:
- fog
- mood
- mystery
- atmosphere
- emotion
Those are things a camera cannot always capture.
Watch the Opaque Painting Process
Want to see exactly how I created this foggy watercolor effect?
Watch the demonstration here:
Explore Edinburgh Through My Photography
This painting was inspired by my travels through Edinburgh, Scotland.
You can see more photographs, travel stories, and locations that inspired my artwork on my travel blog:
Three Perfect Days in Edinburgh, Scotland
Learn Watercolor Pouring Techniques
The techniques used in this painting are part of my Watercolor Pouring Workshops, where students learn how to combine transparent layers, masking, and unexpected techniques to create luminous watercolor paintings.
Learn more about my upcoming workshops and classes:
https://rfoxphoto.com/workshops-classes/
Learn more about my Watercolor Pouring Classes HERE
Supplies Used
Arches 140 lb Cold Press 11×14 Block (good paper is the MOST important thing in WC)
Fabriano Artistico 140lb 12×16″ Block
Creative Mark Flo Bottles
Holbein Lavender
Winsor Newton Ultramarine Blue
Winsor Red
Winsor Newton Winsor Yellow
You need at least two colors. Almost anything will work but I recommend one of each primary color (one red, one yellow, one blue)
Creative Mark Masking Fluid Brushes
Incredible Nib. Optional but very useful.
Pebeo Masking Fluid (big bottle)
Pebeo Masking Fluid (small bottle)
Ruling Pen (for applying small lines with masking fluid)
Holbein Spray Bottle
Spray Bottle
Sterling Edwards Big Brush Watercolor Palette. Optional but my favorite palette in the world. I own 5 of them:
Richeson Silver Velvet #6
Richeson Silver Velvet #2
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Ryan Fox AWS, NWS, TWSA
Ryan Fox Painting
(919) 645-8345