By Cecile Ingram
Throughout the ages there has been one medium that has endured in the art world. From the cave paintings to the modern day art world this medium has been largely unchanged. The cave painters would mix pigment from the ground with water, and their modern counterparts still do the same, without having to dig out their own pigments. Welcome to the world of 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.
This might go a long way to explain why this medium still endures. Even the monks in their abbeys would use the same principles as they created their impressive illustrated manuscripts. Also the acclaimed Old Masters will have also explored and used this art form.
It really has a global reach, but it is a simple matter to spot the regional variations. No-one will be able to mistake the paintings of Asian influence with those from Europe. For a while there was a wane in its popularity, although nowadays it is possible to find art classes anywhere in the country.
Nowadays its also possible to try learning from books or CDs, without any form of human interaction. You can even try learning from the Internet where it is easier to see various techniques. If you don't understand something you can replay the particular clip until it does make sense. A far cry from 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.
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.
This might go a long way to explain why this medium still endures. Even the monks in their abbeys would use the same principles as they created their impressive illustrated manuscripts. Also the acclaimed Old Masters will have also explored and used this art form.
It really has a global reach, but it is a simple matter to spot the regional variations. No-one will be able to mistake the paintings of Asian influence with those from Europe. For a while there was a wane in its popularity, although nowadays it is possible to find art classes anywhere in the country.
Nowadays its also possible to try learning from books or CDs, without any form of human interaction. You can even try learning from the Internet where it is easier to see various techniques. If you don't understand something you can replay the particular clip until it does make sense. A far cry from 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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