In the ever-evolving world of artistic expression, watercolour painting has long been a medium that captivates and challenges creators. In our 15 years installing… Its inherent fluidity and spontaneity lend themselves perfectly to capturing the fleeting, the transient, and the ephemeral — those moments in time that are as elusive as they are breathtaking. As an experienced art writer and creative consultant, I’m delighted to share with you some innovative watercolour techniques and approaches that can help transform your artistic practice and imbue your work with a sense of the impermanent.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Watercolor Experimentation
One of the joys of working in watercolour is the medium’s inherent unpredictability. Rather than fighting against the unexpected results that can arise, we can learn to embrace and even harness the element of surprise. Experimental watercolour techniques such as pouring, splattering, and wet-on-wet applications can help us tap into the inherent spontaneity of the medium, allowing the paint to flow, blend, and interact in captivating ways.
Take, for example, the work of contemporary watercolourist Olga Shvartsur. Her ethereal landscapes are imbued with a sense of atmospheric mystery, achieved through the judicious use of wet-on-wet techniques that create soft, hazy edges and the illusion of mist or fog. By allowing the paint to bleed and intermingle on the paper, Shvartsur is able to capture the ephemeral quality of natural light and the ever-changing moods of the environment.
Similarly, the Japanese artist Seiki Kumagai pushes the boundaries of watercolour with his splattering and dripping techniques. His dynamic compositions, which often depict the power and movement of water, are created by deliberately allowing the paint to travel across the paper, creating unexpected patterns and textures. This approach aligns perfectly with his desire to convey the transient nature of our world, where nothing is ever truly static or permanent.
Capturing Ephemeral Light
One of the hallmarks of watercolour painting is its ability to capture the nuances of light and atmosphere. Mastering the effects of light is crucial for artists who wish to imbue their work with a sense of the ephemeral, as the play of light is itself a fleeting and ever-changing phenomenon.
Take, for instance, the work of Australian artist Joseph Zbukvic, whose luminous watercolour paintings have earned him international acclaim. Zbukvic’s masterful handling of light and shadow allows him to create a profound sense of atmosphere, whether he’s depicting the warm glow of a sunset or the cool, diffused light of an overcast day. By carefully controlling the application of pigment and the interplay of wet and dry areas, he is able to suggest the transient nature of light and its profound impact on the mood and character of a scene.
Another artist who has truly elevated the representation of ephemeral light in watercolour is American painter Jeannie McGuire. Her bold, expressive brushwork and innovative use of masking fluid create the illusion of shimmering, fleeting light that dances across her subjects. Whether she’s painting a bustling city street or a serene natural landscape, McGuire’s work is imbued with a sense of movement and energy that captures the viewer’s imagination.
Spontaneous Creative Expression
While technical mastery is undoubtedly important in watercolour painting, it’s the ability to embrace spontaneity and creative intuition that can truly elevate the medium. By allowing ourselves to let go of rigid control and embrace the unpredictable nature of the paint, we can unlock new avenues of artistic expression and create works that resonate with a sense of the ephemeral.
One artist who exemplifies this approach is Canadian watercolourist Brent Heighton. Heighton’s loose, expressive brushwork and bold, gestural mark-making create a sense of immediacy and energy in his paintings. By allowing the paint to flow and drip across the paper, he is able to capture the essence of a scene, rather than getting bogged down in extraneous details. This spontaneous, intuitive approach lends his work a palpable sense of the fleeting and the transient, inviting the viewer to experience the work in the moment.
Similarly, the American artist Birgit O’Connor has developed a unique watercolour technique that combines spontaneous mark-making with carefully considered design principles. By layering transparent washes, allowing them to interact and bleed into one another, O’Connor is able to create paintings that are both visually striking and emotionally evocative. Her work often explores the theme of impermanence, with subjects that seem to emerge from and recede back into the ethereal background.
Combining Media for Unique Effects
While watercolour is a wonderful medium in its own right, the integration of other artistic materials can open up new avenues for capturing the ephemeral. By combining watercolour with drawing media, such as pencil, ink, or pastel, artists can create works that blend the fluid, atmospheric qualities of paint with the more precise, linear expressions of drawing.
The American artist Sloane Addington, for example, has developed a mixed-media approach that seamlessly blends watercolour and graphite. Her delicate, evocative landscapes are imbued with a sense of transience and impermanence, as the soft washes of colour interact with the sharp, gestural lines of the graphite. This combination of media allows Addington to suggest the fleeting nature of a scene, inviting the viewer to pause and contemplate the fragility of the moment.
Similarly, the Canadian artist Lian Quan Zhen has explored the intersection of watercolour and Chinese ink drawing. His stunning landscapes and botanical studies feature the expressive, fluid qualities of watercolour, tempered by the bold, calligraphic lines of traditional ink painting. This synthesis of media creates a unique visual language that speaks to the ephemeral nature of our world, where the tangible and the intangible coexist in a delicate balance.
Embracing the Ephemeral
As artists, our pursuit of the ephemeral is a never-ending journey, one that challenges us to push the boundaries of our medium and our creative expression. By embracing the inherent spontaneity and unpredictability of watercolour, we can unlock new avenues of artistic exploration, capturing the fleeting, the transient, and the elusive in ways that both inspire and captivate the viewer.
Whether it’s through experimental techniques, a mastery of light and atmosphere, or the integration of diverse media, the watercolour artists featured in this article demonstrate that the pursuit of the ephemeral is a vital and enduring aspect of the creative process. By following their lead and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this medium, we can create works that resonate with a profound sense of the transient and the eternal — works that invite the viewer to pause, to reflect, and to experience the world anew.
So, I encourage you, fellow artists, to embrace the ephemeral in your watercolour practice. Explore the unknown, take risks, and allow the unpredictable nature of the medium to guide your creative journey. For it is in these moments of spontaneity and discovery that we find the true essence of art — a fleeting, yet profound, connection with the world around us.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique