Expert: J Heuman - 8/19/2004

Question
What was the first use of watercolor? How did watercolor get introduced into sketching and how was it used as a medium?

Answer
Greetings Lori,

Thank you for this interesting question.  I actually found a wonderful web site that provides accurate and detailed information regarding the history of watercolor:

    "Watercolor techniques started evolving with the
     invention of paper by the Chinese shortly after 100
     AD. Papermaking was introduced to Spain by the
     conquering Moors in the 12th century and 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 was buon
     fresco painting: wall-painting using watercolor
     paints on wet plaster. Probably the most famous
     example of buon fresco is the Sistine Chapel, begun
     in 1508 and completed in 1514.

     The earliest known use of this technique was by the
     Italian Renaissance painter Raffaello Santi (1483
     -1520), who painted some full-scale cartoons as
     precursors for some tapestry designs.

     In Germany, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) painted in
     watercolor 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)."

[Source: www.wordiq.com/definition/Watercolor_painting]

The web site has a bit more about the uses of watercolor.

Best wishes, sincerely,
J Heuman