Watercolor Painting For All Ages and Abilities

Sep 26
08:22

2007

Dean M Novosat

Dean M Novosat

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Painting has been part of mankind since the earliest of times.

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Watercolor painting is a free-flowing adventure in color,Watercolor Painting For All Ages and Abilities Articles textures, and form. It is easy when you learn it one step at a time. The art of watercolor painting is rich in traditional techniques and formality. The difficulty in watercolor painting is almost entirely in learning how to anticipate and use the behavior of water, rather than attempting to control or dominate it. A unique quality of watercolor painting is the look obtained when various colors are layered on top of previous colors (after each layer has dried). In rich, mutable, easy-to-mix colors, watercolor painting is perfect for beginners as well as more accomplished artists. A traditional watercolor painting is executed with transparent watercolors with no opaque pigments used and the white of the paper serving as white paint. And today, fine art watercolor painting is a highly respected and much sought after, art form bringing high bids at art auctions around the world

Watercolor is a type of paint made from pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as gum arabic. Watercolor paints can be bought in tubes or pans (small blocks). It is one of the most dynamic mediums available to the artist. Watercolors are great for outdoor painting because of their quick drying nature and ease of use and watercolor painting offers a wide range of varieties and consistencies.

Watercolor techniques have the reputation of being quite demanding, although they are actually no more demanding than those used with other media. In the 17th and 18th centuries, ink, pen and watercolor tints were common mapmaking tools, portable and convenient to use outdoors and in remote locations. At the beginning of the 18th century, the topographical watercolor was primarily used as an objective record of an actual place in an era before photography. It was also a popular choice for landscape painting. Watercolors have moved from mapmaking to the mainstream in the past 300 years. Now, watercolor painting can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Painting in watercolor is one of the most popular mediums for aspiring artists, yet there are many pitfalls that can snare the beginner. Painting in watercolor is fun when you can find new opportunities for personal discovery, expression, and invention. Painting or drawing while traveling always makes the experience more rewarding, satisfying, and unforgettable. Professional watercolor paper is the basis for getting beautiful watercolor paintings, so remember this when selecting your watercolor paper. The better the paper, the better the painting.

Watercolor is not just for mapmaking anymore. Watercolor painting is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. My first memory of painting is using dime store watercolor paints in a metal tin. Although not the best quality, it introduced me to the watery, transparent color of this type of paint. Later in life, I learned to use these transparent pigments to create works of art. If you are considering getting started in painting, you may want to consider watercolors as your medium of choice.