Washing Away AssumptionsI am rolling my eyes with embarrassment when I tell you that when I first saw watercolor paintings with wide expanses of color I assumed these were applied and then wiped out and smoothed over after they were laid down.I had no idea that there were techniques you could use to get beautiful watercolor washes with a stroke of the brush (and a lot of practice).
How van Gogh Saw the Color WheelVincent van Gogh was an artistic genius, no question. Although he may well have had psychological troubles, there is no proof his distinctive use of color, especially those intense yellows, arose from an overdose of any pharmacologically active drugs such as digitalis.
It’s no surprise that an art juror is going to begin his or her task by studying a painting for certain expected attributes: strong design, solid draftsmanship, a skilled handling of value and color. But once an entry has met criteria like these, what is it in a painting that catches and holds a juror’s attention all the way through to the winner’s circle?
Whether basic or complex, shapes are an essential component of most successful artworks. And, when it comes to painting in watercolor, this is no different.Below, artist Kathie George shares how to loosen up your painting style with simple techniques for creating better forms. Enjoy!Getting in ShapeShapes make up one of the seven elements of art that serve as the foundation for strong design.
I don’t know if I’ve ever said these words “out loud” to you, but they deserve to be said, repeatedly and loudly. So here I am, virtually hollering at you across cyberspace: Experiment with abstract art!I know we have talked about how thinking abstractly is a key to any successful painting, realistic or otherwise.
Peruvian-born artist José Apaza takes a simple, straightforward approach to his watercolor figures and portraits.He cites regular people, not artists, as his primary creative influence. “Every human being is a summary of universal wisdom,” he says. “Humble people are my great teachers and have exerted a great influence on me.
