Watercolour painting has long been regarded as a traditional, even quaint, medium – relegated to landscapes, architectural sketches, and delicate floral studies. We learned this the hard way… However, contemporary artists are redefining watercolour, pushing the boundaries of this versatile medium and showcasing its potential for bold, expressive, and innovative artworks.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Rethinking the Watercolour Tradition
Gone are the days when watercolour was seen as merely a preparatory tool or a gateway for beginner painters. Today’s watercolourists are embracing the medium’s unique qualities, using them to create striking, unconventional paintings that challenge preconceptions.
Artist Stephanie Tuckwell, for example, works on multiple paintings simultaneously, allowing her to “shift between works, sometimes to linger and work intensely, and at other times moving rapidly.” For Tuckwell, the “material characteristics of watercolour are both an idea in her art and a practical application,” as she responds to the interplay of fluidity and control.
Similarly, Barbara Nicholls utilizes the spontaneous nature of watercolour to capture the stratification of geological formations. “I start by creating puddles of water on large sheets of paper,” she explains. “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.”
Artist Alf Löhr embraces the unforgiving qualities of watercolour, believing that “you have to live with your mistakes and there is no cover up or rubbing out.” He explores the medium’s fluidity by pouring, dripping, and even throwing the paint onto the paper, allowing the unpredictable results to shape his compositions.
Mastering Watercolour Techniques
To truly harness the power of watercolour, artists might want to have a deep understanding of the medium’s unique characteristics and an arsenal of specialized techniques. From the foundational flat wash to the more advanced sgraffito (or “lifted paint”) method, each approach offers a unique set of creative possibilities.
Flat Wash: One of the most basic watercolour techniques, a flat wash involves painting a large, even patch of a single colour to create a flat base for your painting. This technique requires patience and control to achieve an even, consistent application.
Wet-on-Wet (Blooming): This method involves applying wet paint to a damp surface, allowing the colours to bleed and blend into one another, creating soft, organic gradients. The “blooming” effect can be further enhanced by adding salt or alcohol to the paint.
Dry Brush: Using a brush with minimal paint and water, the dry brush technique creates a textured, scratchy effect that can add visual interest and depth to your watercolour paintings.
Sgraffito: Also known as “sgraffito,” this unique technique involves scratching or scraping into the wet paint to reveal the underlying layers or the white of the paper. This can be done with a variety of tools, from a sewing needle to a razor blade.
Masking Fluid: By applying masking fluid (or liquid frisket) to specific areas of your painting, you can protect those sections from subsequent washes, allowing you to preserve the white of the paper or create intricate, layered designs.
Lifting & Removing Paint: Watercolour is a medium that allows for a high degree of experimentation and happy accidents. Techniques like blotting, lifting, and using absorbent materials can help you remove or manipulate the paint, creating unexpected but visually striking effects.
Expanding Creative Horizons
As watercolour artists push the boundaries of the medium, they are also drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, from the natural world to the realm of digital art.
Nature and Landscapes: Many contemporary watercolourists find inspiration in the ever-changing beauty of the natural world, using the medium’s fluidity and transparency to capture the essence of landscapes, seascapes, and organic forms.
Still Life Subjects: Watercolour’s ability to render delicate textures and subtle gradations makes it an ideal medium for depicting still life arrangements, from delicate flowers to intricate glassware and ceramics.
Portraiture: While watercolour may not be the first choice for many portrait artists, skilled practitioners are demonstrating the medium’s versatility in capturing the nuances of the human face and form.
Mixed Media Experimentation: By combining watercolour with other media, such as acrylics, pastels, or even digital elements, artists are creating innovative, genre-blending artworks that push the boundaries of traditional painting.
Watercolour Tutorials and Workshops
Whether you’re a beginner seeking to master the fundamentals or an experienced artist looking to expand your creative horizons, there are a wealth of resources available to help you develop your watercolour skills.
Beginner Watercolour Lessons: These introductory tutorials focus on the basics, such as colour theory, composition, and essential techniques like flat washes and wet-on-wet layering. They provide a solid foundation for aspiring watercolourists.
Intermediate Watercolour Workshops: As you progress in your watercolour journey, more advanced workshops can help you explore dynamic brushwork, complex colour mixing, and advanced methods like sgraffito and masking fluid.
Watercolour Painting Challenges: Participating in watercolour-focused painting challenges or social media trends can be a great way to push your creative boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and find inspiration from a thriving community of fellow artists.
Online Watercolour Classes: From video tutorials to comprehensive online courses, the digital realm offers a wealth of opportunities to learn from experienced watercolour artists, no matter your skill level or location.
By embracing the unique qualities of watercolour and experimenting with a diverse range of techniques, today’s artists are redefining the medium and showcasing its potential for bold, expressive, and innovative artworks. Whether you’re a seasoned watercolourist or just beginning your artistic journey, the world of modern watercolour awaits, ready to unlock your creative potential.
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Example: Modern Abstract Painting Series 2024