Watercolour painting has long been associated with traditional landscape scenes and architectural studies, but in the hands of contemporary artists, this versatile medium is being redefined and pushed to new creative frontiers. We learned this the hard way… From bold, expressive washes to intricate, detailed renderings, the modern watercolour painter has an ever-expanding arsenal of techniques to explore.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Embracing the Fluid Nature of Watercolours
The inherent fluidity and unpredictability of watercolours can be both a blessing and a challenge for artists. Watercolour painter Stephanie Tuckwell embraces this quality, allowing the paint to flow and react organically on the page. “My work is a response to the edges of landscape, the meeting of land and sea, where mass meets fluids,” she explains. “My working methods lie in the area between the intentional and incidental, the fluidity and immediacy of watercolour which allow me to explore these concerns in an intuitive manner.”
Similarly, artist Barbara Nicholls creates works that showcase the stratified layers and natural patterns that emerge when watercolour pigments meet water on the paper. “I start by creating puddles of water on large sheets of paper. I apply the watercolour to this water and wait for the pigment to find the edge of the water. This creates a line of colour. I am interested in this line; it has a quality that I could not otherwise achieve.”
Embracing the uncontrollable aspects of watercolour is also a key part of Alf Löhr’s artistic process. “I pour or drip it. Or I throw it in the air to catch when it comes down!” he says. “As watercolour is a liquid I pour or drip it. Or I throw it in the air to catch when it comes down!”
Pushing the Boundaries of Watercolour
While some artists harness the fluid nature of watercolours, others are exploring new ways to push the boundaries of the medium. Peter Haslam-Fox, for example, creates large-scale, highly detailed watercolour paintings that challenge the traditional scale and precision associated with the medium. “Watercolour by its very nature is unforgiving. The kind of focus needed to be brave with your subject and get it right first time is exhilarating. I find this especially true of working on a larger scale.”
Beyond just scale, contemporary watercolourists are also expanding the range of subjects and styles they explore. As the Pencil and Paint Muse website notes, “where once watercolour was only considered suitable for sketches, architectural painting and landscape, today it is flourishing in any subject the painter chooses.”
Mastering Watercolour Techniques
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, there are countless watercolour techniques to explore and master. Here are just a few to get you started:
Flat Wash: One of the most fundamental watercolour techniques, a flat wash involves painting a large, even patch of a single colour to create a smooth, flat base for your painting.
Graded Wash: Similar to a flat wash, but with a gradual transition in colour intensity, a graded wash is achieved by using less and less pigment as you move across the paper.
Wet-on-Wet: Also known as a “wash,” this technique involves applying wet paint to damp paper, allowing the colours to bleed and blend together organically.
Dry Brush: When you apply watercolour with a dry brush, you’ll create a lovely, textured effect, with the pigment leaving behind a scratchy, almost crayon-like mark.
Sgraffito: This unique technique involves scratching into the wet paint to reveal the underlying layers or the white of the paper, adding intricate patterns and details.
Masking Fluid: By applying a liquid frisket or masking fluid to your paper, you can reserve areas that you want to keep free of paint, allowing for precise, detailed work.
Splattering: For a dynamic, expressive effect, try splattering or flicking watercolour paint across your paper, either with a stiff brush or by manipulating the paint directly.
Scumbling: To create soft, hazy layers of colour, try the scumbling technique, which involves applying semi-wet paint with a dry, stiff brush in a circular or stippling motion.
Exploring Creative Inspiration
While technical mastery is certainly important, the true power of watercolour painting lies in its ability to capture the essence of the artist’s vision and emotional experience. Contemporary watercolourists draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources, from the natural world to urban landscapes to personal memories and inner states.
“My inspiration lies at the edges of the air, land and sea,” says Stephanie Tuckwell, reflecting on the way her work responds to the meeting points between different elements and environments. Other artists, like Barbara Nicholls, find inspiration in the inherent patterns and structures of the physical world, using watercolour to explore the hidden geological layers and formations that shape our landscapes.
Beyond the external world, many watercolourists also tap into their own internal experiences and emotional landscapes. The fluidity and spontaneity of the medium lends itself well to expressing the ephemeral, intuitive aspects of the creative process. As Alf Löhr explains, “I like the simplicity and rigidity of watercolour: Water plus pigment plus light: neither greasy nor plastic like acrylics.”
Embracing the Unexpected
Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of working with watercolours is the element of surprise and unpredictability that the medium offers. Rather than fighting against the fluid, reactive nature of the paint, successful watercolourists learn to embrace the unexpected effects and “happy accidents” that can occur.
As the Art Supplies UK blog points out, “Watercolour can be difficult to control, but that’s part of the charm. Letting go and allowing the paint to do its own thing can lead to some beautiful and unique results.”
Whether it’s the organic blending of colours, the delicate feathering of a wet-on-wet wash, or the fascinating textures created by salt or other materials, the modern watercolour artist understands that the true magic often lies in those unplanned, serendipitous moments. By cultivating a spirit of experimentation and curiosity, they can transform the unpredictable nature of the medium into a powerful tool for self-expression and artistic discovery.
Conclusion: Embracing the Fluidity of Watercolours
In the hands of contemporary artists, watercolour painting has evolved into a truly versatile and dynamic medium, capable of capturing the essence of the natural world, the complexity of the human experience, and the boundless possibilities of the creative spirit. By embracing the fluid, reactive qualities of the paint, these artists are redefining the boundaries of what watercolour can achieve, pushing the medium to new and exciting frontiers.
Whether you’re a seasoned watercolourist or a beginner exploring the medium for the first time, the key to unlocking the full potential of watercolour lies in cultivating a mindset of curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to let go of control. By embracing the unexpected, you can unlock a world of creative expression and find new ways to bring your artistic vision to life.
So pick up your brushes, dive into the pool of vibrant pigments, and let the watercolours guide you on a journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. The possibilities are as boundless as the medium itself.
Tip: Experiment with different media to discover your unique style