Latest posts by michael wilson (see all)
- JORDAN RIVER - February 5, 2019
- Inspired Art - August 2, 2018
- Waiting for Inspiration - July 31, 2018
- The Bridge between Painting and Photography - July 31, 2018
Painting in watercolor has several important advantages to painting in oils and even acrylics. Painting in watercolors can be done in a relatively small space and there is no danger of small children getting in to thinners and messy oil paints. Water pigments can usually be washed out. When finished, the various tools, brushes, pallette and pigments can be stored away. There are excellent cases that can be purchased. Also, paper of course is much cheaper to buy so out of pocket costs are considerably less. Then, when completed it is much easier to store the completed work than trying to store up canvas or panels. For years I kept mine in a heavy cardboard folio under the bed.
The study and practice of watercolor painting is an excellent endeavor for the novice and the serious painter. By becoming proficient in developing backgrounds, working with contrasts, blending colors are all requirements for future mature work in say, oils or acrylics. Surprisingly using water as a thinner has characteristics similar to thinning oils with solvents. Many of the masters used watercolors for preliminary studies and some, like Turner tried to have their oil paintings mimic the atmospheric effects that water color is so adapted to.
It is relatively easy to get started in watercolor. I will often very lightly sketch my subject before painting. I actually like the look of seeing the pencil lines under the washed pigment. Watercolors are most typically painted from the lightest tones to the more dark, opaque tones. Techniques such as this however can be learned at school or through advertised classes. If you are fortunate to create a watercolor that you feel is successful then you will want to properly mat and frame the piece. You will be surprised to find how expensive it is to have this done professionally. There is no savings in framing watercolors over framing an oil painting. Choose those you wish to frame wisely.