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

Red in the Morn

"Red in the Morn"
Chalk Pastel on Arches