Watercolor painting can be done on any canvas, but most applicable is plane paper. Other ideal surfaces include vellum, or leather fabric. Because watercolor is so thin and transparent, artists may have to apply several coats to achieve their desired texture, however, watercolor is meant to be thin and transparent and when the art structure is complete, it should look magnificent.
Among the earliest forms of watercolor painting is entitled buon fresco painting, which is a type of wall painting using pigments in a water medium on wet plaster. This technique actually traces back to the Egyptian and Roman antiquity. A well-known signature painting from this style is the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo in 1514. Watercolor painting has quite a long history in many parts of the world, acting as Chinese and Japanese dominant medium. The color is often illustrated in monochrome black or brown, or more traditionally called ink.
Forms of watercolor painting has extending been displayed on large paintings and also in cartoons. In the estate of Germany, the painter Albrecht Durer used watercolors and his works included pure landscape studies. In fact, Germany hosts a school for watercolor that is headed by Hons Bol, all in recognition of the Durer Renaissance.
Other well-known artists celebrated in this movement were painters such as Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Van Dyck, and scores of Dutch and Flemish artists.
The British school of watercolor has displayed the most continuous and widely followed tradition in Europe. These artists, Alexander Cozens, Thomas Gainsborough, and William Gilpin are all guilty of attending this establishment and for producing some fine examples of artwork.
Another prominent type of painting came in effect in the 1920's and was known as the California Style, which was led by Milford Zornes. He added color to detailed pencil drawings and was quite universal with his method. You could characterize his work by the application of transparent washes of color applied to large sheets of paper, in conclusion, the white is allowed to shimmer through and define shapes.
Paints
The much expansive term for water-based painting media is "watermedia," which refers to traditional gouache (an opaque form of the same paint) or transparent watercolor. It additionally includes the use of thinned acrylic paint.
Mostly traditional watercolor paint originates from finely ground pigment combined with gum Arabic for body mass, and further more, adding glycerin or honey for viscosity and to bond the colorant to the painting surface. The oil of clove is smartly used to prevent mold from building up on the artwork.
A select few watercolor pigments are classified as "fugitive," meaning they fade over time when exposed to any source of light. While some colors fade others stain. Staining color is vigorous and difficult to remove and persists on the paper, however, less staining colors can be lightened or removed almost completely when wet or when re-wetted techniques are applied by "lifting" with a wet brush, paper towel, sponges, or tissue.
Watercolor paints are sold in two different grades, Artist and Student. The Artist paints are genuinely formulated using a single pigment, while the Student grade paints contain less pigment, and are often formulated using two or more pigments.
Brush Styles
Brushes for watercolor painting are designed to hold water and are softer as compared to the buckram brushes used for acrylic and oil paint. Typically each individual artist will only use his or her two favorite brushes to work with. For example, a flat brush when used on end will produce dashes or thin lines in addition to the wide swath distinctive with these brushes.
You might be surprised when you read what brushes are made of; assorted animal hair such as from ox or cattle. Horsehairs are also used along with squirrel and other furry creatures. The hair can be all- natural and although very expensive, they give you the best result then synthetic types of hair.
Paper Surfaces
Accordingly the special paper for watercolor painting is designed for a carefree, smooth or rough, application for paint. This thick paper, which varies between 90 to 300 pounds, is 100 percent cotton rag. A watercolor "block" is a tablet of paper bound on all four sides, and this prevents any buckling your paper may do after painting.
With all of this information you are bound to start trying to paint with watercolor but let me warn you, it is a huge amount of fun!
