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ANOTHER COMMENTARY
ON WATERCOLORS Watercolor probably has more variations in technique than any other medium. Some artists paint with a hard-edged method, where a large area (or wash) is laid down and pools, then let dry. Smaller areas are laid down in the same manner on the top of the larger area, creating a sparkling layer of broken lines and colors. Others use wet techniques, working on moistened paper or laying a wash on dry paper and then moistening it for a soft edge. Most, but not all, artists use combinations of both along with many other things. Watercolors can be used with a dry brush, where almost all the water is squeezed from the brush and the paint is put down very dry. Watercolor can be used in combination with pencil, pen and ink, block printing, crayons and on, or with, nearly any other medium, or on nearly any base. Most artists use watercolor paper and many use Arches (established in 1492). It is a very tough paper that can be sanded, scraped with knives, wrinkled and ironed out, washed out, and painted over for effect. Many artists use a combination of flat brushes, fan brushes, rounds and liners (especially good for tree branches, being long and flexible). There are three types of paper in general: Rough, Cold press, and Hot press, varying in roughness in that order. Palettes vary and some artists use and/or mix nearly primary colors, while others use many premixed colors. Many quality lines of paint are available in both tubes and pans. Paints of the more established lines do not fade as much as the cheaper paints, especially the reds and violets. Many artists who paint
realistic or semi-realistic scenes work from combinations of
photos, sketches, and open-air painting (less popular since
it is hard to do in Wisconsin winters). Usually they lay
down a sketch, then paint the areas they would like to leave
lighter with liquid frisket or mastic. These areas can then
be finished later. Washes are laid down and then, depending
on their style, they develop the detail. Some artists use
squiggly brush lines, some use a lot of darks for contrast,
while others use a stipple effect. In other words, you can
do about anything to get the effect you or your style
demands. Watercolor is also a very intuitive medium. One
never knows where the water will go or exactly what it will
look like when dry. It is fun, but the fun is in the
unpredictable nature of the medium and the harnessing of
that very unpredictability, to create effects possible with
no other medium. Barri
Olson iiiiiiiiiiiiiii"The
first and sometimes hardest part, for me, is to
select a subject matter. Usually I take alot of
photos and do alot of sketches of various scenes
that seem interesting, to obtain an idea for a
painting. After having
obtained a basic painting, I then go into detail
with other types of brushes such as smaller flats,
fans, rounds, and liners. Liners are especially
good for tree branches and fan brushes for grass.
Somewhere along the way I rub the mastic off where
needed. If certain areas
need texture, sandpaper, knives, erasers, water,
can be used. In many styles watercolor is a very
intuitive medium, although you can plan the basics
it still is somewhat unpredictable, you have to go
with the flow. In my style I use both transparent
lights and very opaque darks, to create as much
contrast as possible. One has to be careful by
creating variation within the dark areas, otherwise
they look flat and unnatural...as one of my
instructors once said "think in black and white and
paint in color". So there are my views on
technique, and they are by no means rigid.
Watercolor is only fun if a person tries to
explore, like any form of art or
creation." Connie
Glowacki iiiiiiiiiiiiiii"Working
from my own slides, I compose images often
combining, eliminating, changing subjects. I do not
trace because as I draw, the images pass through my
mind and out of the pencil or paintbrush in my own
style. After working for a while, the painting
leads me to its completion. I use
Winsor-Newton, Daniel Smith, and Holbein pigments
of the most light-fast kind. I paint on D'arches
300 lb. press rough paper most of the time because
it lends itself to a scrumbling technique. I like
sable brushes of all sizes because they hold the
most paint, are flexible, and are most reliable.
Winsor Newton, Daniel Smith and Holbein transparent
pigments are my favorites. Many lifting, scraping,
glazing techniques give me nearly photographic
realism in my work." Kathy
Glasnap iiiiiiiiiiiiiii"I
have been painting watercolors for over 30 years.
Where did the time go? When I started out, I did
primarily transparent watercolors. I gradually
added white opaque to the mix on some paintings. I
do realistic buildings and impressionistic
landscapes, basically. Don
Nedobeck iiiiiiiiiiiiiii"Watercolor:
love its 'full of surprises.' Flip some alcohol
while it is still wet and see what happens (to the
painting not down your throat). Will it crystalize
if you run it outside in Milwaukee at 20 below?
Maybe. Let's try it and see what happens. Dab a
crushed Kleenex on a heavily saturated blotch of
color and look what a full-of-wonder design
appears. What can we do with it? An accidental
puddle of color, now what? Flip the paper, watch it
run. Oh, look! It's forming a flower, and look how
natural the stem looks. Couldn't have made it
happen any better...
WATERCOLOR!
If you're a control freak, it's not your medium,
and it's a happy medium at that. However, if you
love surprise or like to transform a "mistake" into
an intriguing segment, if you enjoy letting one
thing lead to another, then watercolor is for you.
Along with classes, instructional videos, and
"how-to" watercolor books, I've developed a
watercolor attitude, by listening to my watercolor
guardian angel. Splash, spray, scratch, then slant
the paper and wait to see what will happen.
Sometimes, it will take a minute, or a day and
sometimes, months before my angel tells me that
what appeared to be a few abstract forms are now,
by adding ears, a smile, and a few connection
lines, three bears waiting for Goldie to deliver
the bagels and lox. What a pleasant surprise. Now
practically speaking, I use the best materials. It
does make a difference, especially with art
supplies. You really get what you pay for. In the
distant past my frugality kept me from improving. A
greater range of flexibility and a wider range of
hues are possible with the best quality paint,
paper, and brushes. Along with materials,
technique, and know-how, I love the surprise of the
watercolor medium. I do rely heavily on my
watercolor angel to help me though. I paint whether
I feel like it or not, then let the water and the
color and my angel do the work." Copyright © 2000-2008 |
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The Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
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