Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Everyone Can Be Water Color Artists

By Cecile Ingram


In the art world there has been one medium which has lasted throughout the ages. From when man first started daubing on cave walls right up to the present day it has remained largely the same. Those early cave painters would dig pigments from the earth mix them with water and then paint their cave walls, with the exception of digging up their own pigments modern painters still follow the same format. This is the realm of the water color artists.

Its one of the most commonly practiced art forms, but very difficult to master. Many will remember sitting at the kitchen table as a youngster with a paint set, a painting book, a brush and a jar of water. That is all the equipment that is required, and it doesn't really change much no matter what level of painting is being carried out.

Possibly this has contributed to the continued popularity. Even the monks as they created the great illustrated manuscripts would make use of that same art form. The old masters from the art world would also be practitioners of the same art form.

The reach in popularity for this style really is worldwide. There are many different styles, such as Asian and European but it is a simple matter to note the differences. It has to be said that it has not always been quite so popular, but today there are full classes everywhere.

The methods of teaching are many and varied, some use CDs and books which removes the need to actually use a teacher. Others try to learn from programs on the Internet. By this means they can study the techniques over and over again until they understand them. It all seems so different to how it used to be.

Once it was considered to be a suitable pastime for the nobility. They would engage painters of the day to provide instruction to themselves. Others would form into small clubs and experiment amongst themselves. Those who preferred to experiment in solitude would carry their equipment to remote areas where they could paint undisturbed.

Many feel that it was the English during the 18th Century who raised the form to a new level. It has to be said that the style was certainly more popular within the British Isles than on the continent. There are various names put forward as being the spark that lit the fire of popularity within the British Isles. Some will say that it started with a man called Sandby, others will indicate that it was Turner.

It is true that many have yet to reach such heights, but anything that can inspire an individual to paint what they can see in their mind's eye, or heart, can not be a bad thing. The medium can even be used to create abstract works, although many do prefer to stick with the realism that many water color artists were known for. It really is a medium for all, as the equipment required is relatively inexpensive. Often amounting to a collection of brushes, a tin of paint blocks, some paper and a bottle of water.




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