Watercolor painting
Watercolor (or
watercolour also known as
aquarelle) is a
painting technique using
paint made of
colorants suspended or dissolved in water. Although the grounds used in watercolor painting vary, the most common is paper. Others include
papyrus, bark papers,
plastics,
leather,
fabric, wood, and
canvas.
Watercolor painting began with the invention of
paper in
China shortly after
100 AD. In the
12th century the conquering
Moors introduced papermaking to
Spain and the technology spread to
Italy decades later. Some of the oldest paper manufactures include
Fabriano, Italy, opened in
1276, and Arches, France, opened in
1492.
The forerunner of watercolor painting in Europe was
buon fresco painting — wall-painting using pigments in a water medium on wet
plaster. One well-known example of buon fresco is the
Sistine Chapel, begun in
1508 and completed in
1514.
The earliest known use of European watercolor painting is by
Italian Renaissance painter
Raffaello Santi (
1483-
1520), who painted full-scale cartoons as precursors for tapestry designs.
In
Germany,
Albrecht Dürer (
1471-
1528) painted watercolors in the
15th century. The first school of watercolor painting in Europe was led by
Hans Bol (
1534-
1593) and was much influenced by Dürer's creations.
Other famous artists have used watercolor painting to supplement their work with
oil paint, including
van Dyck (
1599-
1641),
Thomas Gainsborough (
1727-
1788), and
John Constable (
1776-
1837).
In
18th century Britain,
Paul Sandby (
1725–
1809) was called the father of British watercolor.
The broader term for water-based painting media is
watermedia. The term
watercolor most often to refers to traditional transparent watercolor or
gouache (an opaque form of the same paint).
Watercolor paint is made of finely-ground
pigment or dye mixed with
gum arabic for body, and
glycerin or
honey for
viscosity and to bond the colorant to the painting surface. Unpigmented filler is added to gouache to lend opacity to the paint.
Oil of clove is used to prevent mold.
Traditionally, watercolor paint is applied with brushes, but it may be applied with other implements in experimental approaches or mixed with other materials (usually
acrylic or collage).
The paint is thinned before application to allow for lighter areas within the painting. This transparency provides watercolor its characteristics of brightness,
sparkle, freshness, and clarity of color since light has passed through the film of paint and is reflected back to the viewer through the film.
According to a tradition, dating from at least the early
20th century, the white of the paper is the only white used in transparent watercolor. Opaque paint is seldom used for whites or to
overpaint.
Watercolor techniques have the reputation of being quite demanding, although they are actually no more demanding than those used with other media. Maintaining a high quality of value differences and
color clarity are typically the most difficult properties to achieve and maintain.
The medium is effective in
portraiture,
figurative art, and
photorealism.
Watercolor proponents prize it as a studio medium for its lack of odor and ease of cleanup, and also as a
plein air medium for its portability and quick drying.
Fingerpainting originated in
China with watercolor paints.
This tecnique is being used by various artists such as
Patricia Govezensky and more
*
Blog on Watercolors &
Watercolor Gallery*
Watercolor gallery*
Watercolor Techniques*
Handmade watercolor paint*
glossary and articles on technique*
Exposure of painting and drawing on New York*
Watercolor Art Workshops in Canada's Yukon Territory*
Water Color art
