Wading Forward

Wading Forward is a traditional watercolor piece depicting a Bernese Mountain Dog steadily moving through a cold stream. The focus of the work is not speed or drama, but quiet endurance—forward motion achieved through patience and effort.

The artwork was created using watercolor on paper, with salt applied to wet pigment to produce organic, uncontrolled textures in the water. These natural disruptions help convey resistance and movement within the stream. An acrylic paint pen border was added at the end to frame the composition and give structural contrast to the looseness of the watercolor.

This piece explores persistence through stillness—progress that happens slowly, deliberately, and without spectacle.

Medium & Process

Watercolor on paper

Salt texture technique

Acrylic paint pen border

Traditional mixed media workflow

Subject & Themes

Bernese Mountain Dog

Endurance

Quiet strength

Steady forward motion

Links

📝 Process & artist commentary:
https://www.theartisticshepherdart.com/blog/blog_posts/wading-forward-a-watercolor-study-of-quiet-endurance

🖼️ Fine art print available:
https://www.theartisticshepherdart.com/warehouse-open-edition-prints/art_print_products/wading-forward?product_gallery=458966&product_id=8580678

🎥 Process video (YouTube Short):
https://youtube.com/shorts/GDgEqLeTvOc

Art by Justyn Simon