Watercolour, also known as aquarelle, is a painting method that utilizes pigments suspended in a water-based solution. The term refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork. Traditionally, watercolours are made opaque by adding Chinese white, but this practice is not recommended for "true watercolor" (traditional)....
The Art Medium of Watercolour
Watercolour, also known as aquarelle, is a painting method that utilizes pigments suspended in a water-based solution. The term refers to both the medium and the resulting artwork. Traditionally, watercolours are made opaque by adding Chinese white, but this practice is not recommended for "true watercolor" (traditional).
History of Watercolour
Watercolour art has a long history, dating back to the cave paintings of paleolithic Europe and used for manuscript illustration since at least Egyptian times. However, its continuous history as an art medium begins with the Renaissance. The German Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer is generally considered among the earliest examples of watercolor. An important school of watercolor painting in Germany was led by Hans Bol as part of the Dürer Renaissance.
Despite this early start, watercolors were generally used by Baroque easel painters only for sketches, copies or cartoons (full-scale design drawings). Notable early practitioners of watercolor painting were Van Dyck, Claude Lorrain, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, and many Dutch and Flemish artists. However, botanical illustration and wildlife illustration perhaps form the oldest and most important traditions in watercolor painting. Botanical artists have traditionally been some of the most exacting and accomplished watercolor painters, and even today, watercolors are used to illustrate scientific and museum publications. Wildlife illustration reached its peak in the 19th century with artists such as John James Audubon, and today many naturalist field guides are still illustrated with watercolor paintings.
English School of Watercolour
Several factors contributed to the spread of watercolor painting during the 18th century, particularly in England. The development of a new type of paper that could absorb water more readily and the introduction of portable paint boxes made it easier for artists to work outdoors. This led to an increased interest in landscape painting and the growth of a distinctly English school of watercolor.
Artists such as J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and Thomas Girtin were among the leading exponents of this new style of painting. They used watercolors to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in the landscape, often working directly from nature. Their work had a profound influence on the development of watercolor painting and helped to establish it as a respected art form.
Watercolour Society
The Royal Watercolour Society is a British institution of painters working in watercolors. The Society is a center of excellence for water-based media on paper, which allows for a diverse and interesting range of approaches to the medium of watercolor. Its members, or associates, use the postnominal initials RWS. They are elected by the membership, with typically half a dozen new associates joining the Society each year.
The society was founded as the Society of Painters in Water Colours in 1804 by William Frederick Wells. Its original membership was William Sawrey Gilpin, Robert Hills, John Claude Nattes, John Varley, Cornelius Varley, Francis Nicholson, Samuel Shelley, William Henry Pyne and Nicholas Pocock. The members seceded from the Royal Academy where they felt that their work commanded insufficient respect and attention.
In 1831 a schism created another group, the New Society for Painters in Water Colours, and so the 1804 group became known as the Old Water Colour Society, and just the Old Society. The New Society subsequently became the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, which still exists today.
The Old Society obtained its Royal charter 1881 under the presidency of Sir John Gilbert as the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours. In 1988, it changed its name again to the Royal Watercolour Society, by which it had always previously been generally known.
The Royal Watercolour Society was founded to promote watercolor as a medium in all its applications. The Society defines a 'watercolor' as a work made in any water-based paint on paper. The RWS holds regular exhibitions presenting the finest in British contemporary works on paper. Exhibitions are held at Bankside Gallery and also tour outside London.
Famous Watercolour Artists
Some famous watercolor artists include J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Thomas Girtin, Paul Cézanne, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, and David Hockney. Their works showcase the versatility and beauty of the medium, from delicate washes to bold brushstrokes.
ArtsDot.com offers a wide selection of watercolor paintings reproductions and print on canvas of famous artwork, including works by J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Thomas Girtin, Winslow Homer, and many more.
In conclusion, watercolour is a versatile and beautiful art medium with a rich history. Its ability to capture light and atmosphere has made it a favorite