Sunday, September 7, 2014

The Rise In Popularity Of Abstract Watercolor Painting

By Kerri Stout


Watercolor paints have unique qualities and painters have used them successfully to create realistic images over the years. However, abstract watercolor painting has become increasingly popular as artists begin to appreciate the fluidity of this medium. They are pushing the limits and experimenting with colors, forms and lines creating works in many different styles.

The subject matter is also as varied as the artists. Ideas and thoughts are just as important as concrete realities. Colors, forms and lines have more importance than create exact replicas of what is seen. Emotions are evoked in the viewer by the ways in which these elements are used.

There are many famous artists of the past who embraced abstraction. These artists all had a passion to communicate something that could not be expressed by traditional means. An early pioneer, Kandinsky, experimented with shapes, symbols and colors. He was followed much later by Mark Rothko and Jason Pollock with their huge canvases. Abstract artists usually begin with a subject, concept or idea in their minds and they ways in which they express these defy strict definition.

Many cynics who criticize this art form do not really understand it. These artists often have great technical expertize. They understand all the basics but choose to express themselves in new and interesting ways. The brush strokes they use and the way they experiment with color and form is usually very carefully considered. It is not simply just a matter of picking up a brush and splattering some paint.

The qualities of watercolors have to be understood in order to create the different effects. There are basic techniques that have to be mastered such as using washes, working wet on dry and wet in wet. Learning how the water, paint and paper reacts together is essential. Layering of colors to make them more or less intense is another important technique.

Many new artists are coming up today due to easy access to classes and online courses. People can teach themselves and practice the basic skills they need to get started. Others appreciate the input of teachers with years of experience who can critique their work and help them to progress. Whatever means is chosen to learn, the fact remains that without understanding basic techniques, the attempts will be very amateurish at best.

However, at the same time, there are many talented artists coming to the fore and many of them are displaying their work online. This makes it possible for many art lovers to purchase work that appeals to them. The great variety available means that most people can find something to suit their taste without necessarily having to spend a fortune.

The popularity of watercolors has grown steadily over the years and this trend is not likely to change. More and more artists, particularly those who are producing abstract paintings, are choosing to work with them. They offer the opportunity to experiment with many different techniques, papers, colors and styles. Their fluidity and the way they capture light offer many creative options.




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