Painting water with water

Gouache and watercolor.

I seriously have a problem finishing with these two mediums. I always wonder, "is this unfinished? Is this my style?" I think back to some of my studio training where I was told over and over:

Never Outline. Ever.

So, for a very long time, I stopped outlining and my professors became happy at how much like them I had become. Now I am grateful for these lessons, I am able to render a drawing as well as the next artist.

However, somehow I never had lessons in watercolor, so my need to outline everything is unavoidable. Is this my style? Or is it just amateur? I will ponder this as I take my brush pen and outline some bricks.

Lost in the Fog (in progress)

I am reminded of an episode of Doctor Who when I look at this painting. If I am not mistaken Horror of Fang Rock is in fact a classic episode featuring the real Doctor Who (Tom Baker) and, of course, the lovely Leela who is for once amply clad. It's appropriate for the times, I think, since the episode begins with a captain who runs into the alien infested lighthouse, while speeding to shore with insider information that will bring him wealth in the stock exchange.
I use acrylic paint with brushes, sponges, a spray bottle and gravity, leaving much of the process to chance. I will be posting this painting again as it progresses, it may be unrecognizable next time.

Here is an example of work that I've done with this method:

Turbulence 2005

Alexandria

Gouache on library board
This painting is not strictly new, as I have had virtually zero creative output for months. I did this a few months ago after visiting The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, after sitting and sketching for awhile. Gouache is basically opaque watercolor, which makes it much more forgiving than watercolor, but still can be reconstituted with water. I will post more about library board, as soon as I can find real information about this amazing material.
Unfortunately, this little painting never wanted to be finished, so this is how he will stay.