6 reason to learn watercolour
6 REASONS TO LEARN WATERCOLOUR
Why watercolor?
Prior to discovering watercolor, I tried with several media like acrylics, oils, and oil pastels. My very first tries were actually embroidery on the sewing machine!
What drew me to watercolor was its immateriality, which concretized into little features that are vital to me.
First and foremost, watercolor does not stain. You can thoroughly clean your hands, table, and clothes. When you finish working, you can leave the brushes and color mixers alone without worry of damaging anything; in fact, the most unique and stunning colors are formed in color mixers left for numerous work sessions!
In reality, watercolor is one of the few mediums that can be "reactivated" as many times as you like; when it comes in touch with water, it regains all of its splendor, which is crucial for me, because I don't know why, but I always shut the tubes improperly and everything appears to dry up, but in the end it doesn’t:-)
One of my favorite features is that it is odorless, allowing you to use it anywhere without disturbing people. During my visits to museums and archaeological sites, I often found myself engrossed in the artwork...
And now for the third characteristic that I like: they are portable, which means that everything you need to do a nice drawing may fit in a handbag: a sketchbook, a paintbrush, a bottle of water, and a box of watercolors. When I'm on top of a mountain and the vista piques my interest, pausing for a quick watercolor sketch is the perfect complement.
basic watercolour kit
In addition to the practical concerns mentioned above, I've learnt some "life lessons" through watercolor.
First and foremost, feel the right moment, that brief span of time between too wet and now dry that allows you to fix, add details and shadows. This lesson is about patience, which I had to accept and then thank during my years of art. Sometime I “cheated” by using a hair dryer to dry faster, starting many projects simultaneously to avoid timing issues, and doing chores between layers...
The lesson "don't force the water or the colors" came hand in hand with patience! Watercolors taught me to trust the unexpected and accompany rather than control, as control does not always yield the best results, especially in painting.
The final lesson I want to discuss today is that a drawing "isn't finished until it's finished". Let me clarify. Several layers of color are applied to a watercolor drawing until the required depth and contrast are achieved. You might believe that the drawing is irreparable and that it is not worth continuing if you pause to look at it throughout this process, but you are mistaken! In my experience, you have to wait for the final layer to see whether it was a successful drawing.
I still have a lot to learn from my watercolor friends, and I am grateful for all they have taught me about myself and the world.
If you are curious, all you have to do is try, and if you are lost, please contact me; I will be pleased to offer you the first hints or, if you are interested, teach you how to use these amazing colors.
To download my supply guide with some interesting tips!
MORE FROM IRENE
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT NEW RELEASES