Wednesday, December 19, 2012

How Water Color Artists Contribute To Culture

By Celia Hall


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.

Chinese paintings are the consequence of two techniques known as ink and wash and 'gong-bi'. The term 'watercolor' is not used for linguistic reasons but oils are not used and ink or paint is applied in brush strokes. Although many of the greatest works were plundered and destroyed by the British in the nineteen century exquisite works remain, some done on silk and dating back many years.

Western water color techniques were introduced into China about a century ago. Because the techniques are similar to traditional works contemporary painters often combine eastern and western techniques. Some depart from the 'flat' style of traditional eastern art to create more dimensional works. They experiment with perspective to a greater extent than was traditional in the East.

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.

. M. W. Turner may come after other great artists chronologically but as an exponent of this method he is considered by many to be preeminent. He lived from 1775 to 1851 and produced many great works being a productive and well loved artist during his life and after it. Hundreds of his works hold pride of place in national galleries.

Turner's prodigious talent was nurtured by his family and other great painters from an early age. When he was only fifteen an important painting was exhibited by the Royal Academy. As he developed he traveled widely and studied under important masters though remaining a private person. In the evolution of his work light plays an increasingly significant role. He used shimmering effects to depict the force of the sun and the violence of storms and ship wrecks.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment