James Reynolds - Venice Indians

“Venice Kicker / Punter”, watercolor, 11in x 14in, (2026)

CLICK TO VIEW FULL IMAGES

A detailed close-up of James Reynolds #81 in his Venice Indians uniform, showcasing the intricate watercolor work on his helmet, face, and jersey details.
A detailed close-up of James Reynolds #81 in his Venice Indians uniform, showcasing the intricate watercolor work on his helmet, face, and jersey details.
The finished painting on the studio desk alongside the working palette and brushes — giving a sense of the 11" x 14" scale and the tools used to bring the piece to life.
A desk-level view of the finished painting showing the rich texture of Arches cold press watercolor paper and the layered detail work on Reynolds' face and jersey.
An extreme close-up of the Venice Indians mascot logo, highlighting the metallic silver pigment used to bring the iconic emblem to life alongside the fine ink linework.
The finished original painting framed and matted — displayed in a silver frame with an 11x14 mat, ready for presentation.
The process begins — reference photos of James Reynolds in action are set alongside the initial pencil drawing on Arches watercolor paper, mapping out the dual-pose composition before the first brushstroke.
The completed pencil drawing — both poses, the Venice "V," the Indians mascot, and the name lettering all mapped out and ready for the first wash of watercolor.
Base watercolor washes establish the foundational color and value structure — light layers of green and gray mapping out the composition before the deeper tones and detail work begin.
Deeper layers of pigment begin to define shadows and contrast, pushing the darker greens and grays while the composition starts to take on dimension and form.
The painting nears completion — the uniforms, helmets, and background logo are fully rendered while the final detail work on the faces and arms remains, showcasing the layered watercolor process from broad washes to fine finishing touches.
The figures reach near-final detail — faces, arms, and uniforms fully rendered — as the background value and the Indians mascot await their final washes to lock in the finished composition.
Original reference photograph of James Reynolds #81 captured at the Venice vs. Sumner High playoff game. Shot with a Nikon D3400 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lens from the sideline.
Original reference photograph capturing Reynolds mid-punt during the Venice vs. Sumner High playoff game. Shot with a Nikon D3400 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lens from the sideline.

This original 11" x 14" watercolor illustration celebrates standout Venice High School punter and kicker James Reynolds #81. I photographed James in action at the playoff game against Sumner High using a Nikon D3400 with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and those images became the foundation for this piece.

The dual-pose composition features the Venice "V" and Indians mascot rendered in a deliberate gray palette, keeping the focus on the vivid green of the uniform. Metallic silver pigment was worked into the mascot logo to add depth and a subtle shimmer that catches the light.

BACK