Water color artists are noted for their skill because they use methods that are difficult. Colors that are dissolved in water are applied to paper or some other surface such as vellum, fabric or wood. The pigments dry quite quickly and are usually inexpensive. However, considerable skill is required in applying them to good effect. This means that the final works are the products of admirable skill.
Although the term 'water color' was not used in the Orient until quite recently painting with brush strokes on finer paper or silk resulted in some of the world's most exquisite art works. Calligraphy influenced Eastern art and some of the techniques focus on the importance of brush strokes, especially in ink and wash works. Paintings on silk or paper still survive from antiquity and are quite marvelous.
Contemporary Chinese artists take very well to water color techniques which are so similar to traditional Chinese styles. However, in Western art more attention is given to perspective and these elements of style are becoming more popular in contemporary eastern art. It is evolving in the best sense of the word. What is fine about traditional style is retained but new forms are incorporated in an evolutionary manner.
A famous landscape painter who worked in water colors in the eighteen century is Thomas Gainsborough. He worked quickly and was fashionable in his time, much in demand for portraits although he preferred landscapes. One of his most famous landscapes is 'The Watering Place' in which his light brush strokes are evident. The demands of the time were for portraits, since photographs were not available. Gainsborough painted portraits out of necessity but his passion was for landscapes and this is evident in his work.
Perhaps he best known British exponent of this painting method is J. M. W Turner. He also used oils but his water color works are so magnificent that he is considered by some to be the last word in water color. A prolific painter, Turner lived from 1775 to 1851, producing hundreds of works many of which are in prominent galleries, filling walls with shimmering effects and interesting lights.
Turner enjoyed steady patronage throughout his life. This enabled him to develop his talent unhindered by the problems that afflict some other artists, such as poverty. An important work was exhibited by the Royal Academy when he was only fifteen, in 1790. He continued to work steadily throughout a long and productive life.
As he developed Turner was able to extend his use of light. He often painted violent events such as storms and shipwrecks. His landscapes often illustrate the destructive power of nature through shimmering light effects. During his time the environment was not thought of as being benign and vulnerable but as powerful and threatening. Despite this his works evoke a sense of admiration rather than fear of natural forces.
In the era of globalization there many water color artists who draw on traditions of both East and West. Important exponents of the method such as Cheng-Khee Chee exhibit online and in local galleries. Their works often include elements of style that seem draw from the traditions of both East and West. Such developments are exciting because the melding of the two styles result in unique but impressive works that are both traditional and innovative.
Although the term 'water color' was not used in the Orient until quite recently painting with brush strokes on finer paper or silk resulted in some of the world's most exquisite art works. Calligraphy influenced Eastern art and some of the techniques focus on the importance of brush strokes, especially in ink and wash works. Paintings on silk or paper still survive from antiquity and are quite marvelous.
Contemporary Chinese artists take very well to water color techniques which are so similar to traditional Chinese styles. However, in Western art more attention is given to perspective and these elements of style are becoming more popular in contemporary eastern art. It is evolving in the best sense of the word. What is fine about traditional style is retained but new forms are incorporated in an evolutionary manner.
A famous landscape painter who worked in water colors in the eighteen century is Thomas Gainsborough. He worked quickly and was fashionable in his time, much in demand for portraits although he preferred landscapes. One of his most famous landscapes is 'The Watering Place' in which his light brush strokes are evident. The demands of the time were for portraits, since photographs were not available. Gainsborough painted portraits out of necessity but his passion was for landscapes and this is evident in his work.
Perhaps he best known British exponent of this painting method is J. M. W Turner. He also used oils but his water color works are so magnificent that he is considered by some to be the last word in water color. A prolific painter, Turner lived from 1775 to 1851, producing hundreds of works many of which are in prominent galleries, filling walls with shimmering effects and interesting lights.
Turner enjoyed steady patronage throughout his life. This enabled him to develop his talent unhindered by the problems that afflict some other artists, such as poverty. An important work was exhibited by the Royal Academy when he was only fifteen, in 1790. He continued to work steadily throughout a long and productive life.
As he developed Turner was able to extend his use of light. He often painted violent events such as storms and shipwrecks. His landscapes often illustrate the destructive power of nature through shimmering light effects. During his time the environment was not thought of as being benign and vulnerable but as powerful and threatening. Despite this his works evoke a sense of admiration rather than fear of natural forces.
In the era of globalization there many water color artists who draw on traditions of both East and West. Important exponents of the method such as Cheng-Khee Chee exhibit online and in local galleries. Their works often include elements of style that seem draw from the traditions of both East and West. Such developments are exciting because the melding of the two styles result in unique but impressive works that are both traditional and innovative.
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