Watercolor Painting – A Beginner’s Guide

The German Renaissance painter, printmaker, and theorist, Albrecht Durer, is credited with pioneering watercolor painting. He recognized the beauty of watercolors and began using them to depict a variety of subjects, including animals. The Young Hare, a famous watercolor painting by Albrecht Durer, is one of his best known works. Its impressive detail and use of colors make it a celebrated example of the art form.
In addition to using watercolors, William Blake often used a mixture of ink, pencil, and graphite to create his works. His watercolors often incorporate partial pigmentation, allowing the viewer to focus on the central subject. In contrast, his oil portraits are often more subtle, reflecting his softer side. This method allows the artist to paint more quickly and accurately. Although a beginner might think watercolor painting is a time-consuming process, he honed his skills by using it for over 40 years.
The next step is to begin by looking at some of the famous artists who have used watercolors. Mark Rothko, for example, was a famous Social Realism painter before he became a non-figurative artist. His watercolor paintings are legendary because they reflect his interest in Jung and Freud. And he briefly was part of the Surrealist movement, so he was inspired by a variety of sources.
Watercolour paintings are notorious for their unpredictable results. Artists experiment with the transparency and luminosity of their paints to achieve the desired effects. The spontaneity of this technique is part of the appeal of watercolour painting. Watercolour has been around since the prehistoric era, when Paleolithic man applied pigments to cave walls. During the Egyptian era, watercolour painting gained popularity and began serving decorative purposes. It was also used in scroll paintings in ancient Japan and Korea.