Watercolor (or watercolour) is a fun painting method where pigments are mixed in a water-based solution. This term refers to both the paints and the beautiful artworks created with them! You might also hear the word aquarelle, which is the French term for this delightful medium.
Interestingly, some artists have used water-soluble colored ink instead of traditional watercolors. These pieces were once called aquarellum atramento, meaning “aquarelle made with ink” in Latin, but this term isn’t used much anymore. So whether you say watercolor or watercolour, it’s all about the joy of painting!
Watercolor paintings are typically done on watercolor paper, which is specially designed for this medium. You can also use other materials like stone, silk, or even fabric!
Many watercolor papers are made from cotton, giving them a lovely texture and reducing distortion when wet.
Transparency is a key feature of watercolors, made up of pigments mixed with binders like gum arabic and humectants like glycerin.
The quality and concentration of these pigments can affect the paint’s richness and price. Interestingly, if you want to make watercolors opaque, you can add Chinese white, but that’s not considered a traditional method!
Watercolor paintings are typically done on watercolor paper, which is specially designed for this medium. You can also use other materials like stone, silk, or even fabric!
Many watercolor papers are made from cotton, giving them a lovely texture and reducing distortion when wet.
Transparency is a key feature of watercolors, made up of pigments mixed with binders like gum arabic and humectants like glycerin.
The quality and concentration of these pigments can affect the paint’s richness and price. Interestingly, if you want to make watercolors opaque, you can add Chinese white, but that’s not considered a traditional method!
Albrecht Durer: Two squirrels.
Watercolour painting is one of the oldest art forms, with a rich history in places like East Asia, where it’s known as brush or scroll painting.
Many Western artists in the early 19th century used it mainly for sketching before moving on to oil or engraving. In fact, before the 18th century, watercolours were often called ‘tinted drawings.’
Watercolour art has an amazing history that goes all the way back to cave paintings from Paleolithic Europe! It was also used for manuscript illustrations in ancient Egypt and gained popularity during the European Middle Ages. However, it really became a celebrated art medium during the Renaissance.
One of the earliest watercolour artists was Albrecht Dürer, a German painter known for his beautiful botanical, wildlife, and landscape watercolours. He lived from 1471 to 1528 and is often recognised as a pioneer in this medium.
In Germany, an important school of watercolour painting was led by Hans Bol, who was part of the Dürer Renaissance.
Many Western artists in the early 19th century used it mainly for sketching before moving on to oil or engraving. In fact, before the 18th century, watercolours were often called ‘tinted drawings.’
Watercolour art has an amazing history that goes all the way back to cave paintings from Paleolithic Europe! It was also used for manuscript illustrations in ancient Egypt and gained popularity during the European Middle Ages. However, it really became a celebrated art medium during the Renaissance.
One of the earliest watercolour artists was Albrecht Dürer, a German painter known for his beautiful botanical, wildlife, and landscape watercolours. He lived from 1471 to 1528 and is often recognised as a pioneer in this medium.
In Germany, an important school of watercolour painting was led by Hans Bol, who was part of the Dürer Renaissance.
James Audubon: Tricoloured heron
Even though watercolour painting has ancient roots, it was mostly used by Baroque easel painters for sketches or design drawings. Some notable early watercolour artists include Van Dyck, Claude Lorrain, and many Dutch and Flemish painters.
Botanical and wildlife illustrations are among the oldest and most important traditions in watercolour. During the Renaissance, botanical illustrations became popular as hand-tinted woodblock prints and ink drawings on vellum or paper.
Botanical artists are known for their skill, and even today, watercolours are used in scientific and museum publications to beautifully illustrate details. Wildlife illustration really took off in the 19th century with artists like John James Audubon, and many naturalist field guides still use watercolor paintings to bring nature to life.
Botanical and wildlife illustrations are among the oldest and most important traditions in watercolour. During the Renaissance, botanical illustrations became popular as hand-tinted woodblock prints and ink drawings on vellum or paper.
Botanical artists are known for their skill, and even today, watercolours are used in scientific and museum publications to beautifully illustrate details. Wildlife illustration really took off in the 19th century with artists like John James Audubon, and many naturalist field guides still use watercolor paintings to bring nature to life.
If you’re new to watercolour, you might be wondering how to use these amazing paints! Whether you’ve painted with acrylics before or this is your first time with a brush, watercolor can be incredibly rewarding.
Watercolor paints have a playful nature. The pigments and water blend together to create stunning patterns! However, they are also transparent, which means every brushstroke is visible. This can make watercolors seem a bit tricky to control, but don’t worry! If you have a little accident with your brush, think of it as a happy surprise instead of a mistake. Embracing these moments can make the painting process even more enjoyable!
The key to understanding watercolor is right in its name: Water! The wetness and flow of water are what shape your paintings. Remember this simple rule: water flows from wet to less wet. So, wet paint will always seek out drier areas. This movement allows pigments to travel and blend beautifully! Just keep in mind that water dries quickly, so your chance to play with your paint can be short. That’s why it’s helpful to use plenty of water in mixes and keep your washes wet while you work!
Watercolor paints have a playful nature. The pigments and water blend together to create stunning patterns! However, they are also transparent, which means every brushstroke is visible. This can make watercolors seem a bit tricky to control, but don’t worry! If you have a little accident with your brush, think of it as a happy surprise instead of a mistake. Embracing these moments can make the painting process even more enjoyable!
The key to understanding watercolor is right in its name: Water! The wetness and flow of water are what shape your paintings. Remember this simple rule: water flows from wet to less wet. So, wet paint will always seek out drier areas. This movement allows pigments to travel and blend beautifully! Just keep in mind that water dries quickly, so your chance to play with your paint can be short. That’s why it’s helpful to use plenty of water in mixes and keep your washes wet while you work!
What You Need to Start with Watercolours
Starting with watercolors is easy and fun! You don’t need much—just a brush, some watercolor paper, and a few paints. The good news is that you don’t need a huge selection of colors to achieve great results.
Basic colour theory tells us that you can mix any colour using three primary colours: yellow, red, and blue. However, to mix a wider range of hues effectively, it’s best to have six colours in your palette. This should include a warm and cool yellow, a warm and cool blue, and a warm and cool red. With these, you’ll be able to create beautiful and vibrant artworks.
Understanding Warm and Cool Colours
Warm colours lean towards red, while cool colours tend towards blue. Cool paints have more blue pigments, and warm paints have more red. Since there aren’t any ‘pure’ primary pigments, you’ll need a mix of both warm and cool primaries to create a full range of colours in your mixes!
Choosing the Right Brush
Next, you’ll need a good brush! Watercolor brushes are designed to work well with water. Look for one with a pointed tip for accuracy and a good reservoir for holding water. Natural hair brushes are the best but can be pricey. A more affordable option is a mix of natural and synthetic bristles.
Start with a medium-sized round brush—size 8 is a great choice. Round brushes are versatile and allow for a wide range of strokes. A brush that’s too small will waste your time picking up paint and limit your brushwork!
Using the Right Paper
Watercolor paper is a must! Other types of paper won’t handle wet paint well. While high-quality 100% cotton paper can be expensive, you can find good student-grade paper that’s perfect for starting out. Just make sure it’s reasonably thick—aim for at least 140 lb / 300 gsm.
Starting with watercolors is easy and fun! You don’t need much—just a brush, some watercolor paper, and a few paints. The good news is that you don’t need a huge selection of colors to achieve great results.
Basic colour theory tells us that you can mix any colour using three primary colours: yellow, red, and blue. However, to mix a wider range of hues effectively, it’s best to have six colours in your palette. This should include a warm and cool yellow, a warm and cool blue, and a warm and cool red. With these, you’ll be able to create beautiful and vibrant artworks.
Understanding Warm and Cool Colours
Warm colours lean towards red, while cool colours tend towards blue. Cool paints have more blue pigments, and warm paints have more red. Since there aren’t any ‘pure’ primary pigments, you’ll need a mix of both warm and cool primaries to create a full range of colours in your mixes!
Choosing the Right Brush
Next, you’ll need a good brush! Watercolor brushes are designed to work well with water. Look for one with a pointed tip for accuracy and a good reservoir for holding water. Natural hair brushes are the best but can be pricey. A more affordable option is a mix of natural and synthetic bristles.
Start with a medium-sized round brush—size 8 is a great choice. Round brushes are versatile and allow for a wide range of strokes. A brush that’s too small will waste your time picking up paint and limit your brushwork!
Using the Right Paper
Watercolor paper is a must! Other types of paper won’t handle wet paint well. While high-quality 100% cotton paper can be expensive, you can find good student-grade paper that’s perfect for starting out. Just make sure it’s reasonably thick—aim for at least 140 lb / 300 gsm.
