Tuesday, September 12, 2023

watercolour painting



Title: The Art of Watercolor Painting: A Dive into Fluid Creativity


Introduction:

Watercolor painting, a captivating and versatile medium, has enchanted artists for centuries. With its ability to capture light, evoke emotions, and create ethereal landscapes, watercolor is a medium like no other. In this blog post, we'll explore the enchanting world of watercolor painting, from its history and essential techniques to tips for beginners and the limitless creative possibilities it offers.


A Brief History of Watercolor:

Watercolor painting dates back to ancient civilizations, with early examples found in Egyptian hieroglyphs and illuminated manuscripts. However, it gained prominence during the Renaissance in Europe when artists began to experiment with it. Albrecht Dürer and Leonardo da Vinci were among the early adopters who explored the medium's potential.


Watercolor gained popularity as a medium for botanical illustrations, landscapes, and architectural renderings during the 18th and 19th centuries. The translucent quality of watercolors allowed artists to depict delicate details and the play of light with unmatched precision.


Essential Watercolor Techniques:

1. Wet-on-Wet: This technique involves applying paint to a wet paper surface, creating soft edges and blending colors seamlessly. It's perfect for creating dreamy, atmospheric effects.


2. Dry Brush: Using minimal water, the dry brush technique produces fine lines and textures, ideal for adding intricate details or creating a textured background.


3. Lifting: Watercolor artists can remove paint from a dried surface by gently scrubbing it with a damp brush or paper towel, allowing for corrections and highlights.


4. Layering: Building up layers of translucent color is a fundamental technique in watercolor painting. By layering colors, artists can achieve depth and richness in their work.


Tips for Beginners:

1. Start with quality supplies: Invest in good-quality watercolor paper, paints, and brushes. It makes a significant difference in your results.


2. Practice color mixing: Understanding how different pigments interact is essential. Experiment with mixing primary colors to create a wide range of hues.


3. Learn from others: Watch tutorials, read books, and take classes to learn from experienced watercolor artists. Their insights can help you grow as an artist.


4. Embrace mistakes: Watercolor can be unpredictable, but sometimes accidents lead to beautiful results. Don't be afraid to experiment and learn from your errors.


Creative Possibilities:

Watercolor allows artists to explore various subjects, from vibrant floral arrangements to serene landscapes and detailed portraits. It's also a popular medium for creating greeting cards, journaling, and illustrating children's books. Additionally, many artists combine watercolor with other mediums like ink or gouache to expand their creative horizons.


Conclusion:

Watercolor painting is a captivating and expressive medium that offers artists endless opportunities for creativity. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, the fluidity and luminosity of watercolors make them a medium worth exploring. So, grab your brushes, embrace the unpredictable nature of watercolor, and dive into a world of artistic possibilities that await your discovery. Happy painting!

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Art with paint pens

I have recently tried paint pens for the first time 

having a set of 24 colours I decided to try them on some mdf plaques I have.

The first one I created was some iconic beach huts in bright colours. I painted the back ground first with some white acrylic paint and then used the paint pens to create my design. I am hoping to create some more art using these paint pens on different surfaces maybe some painted rocks but it certainly was lots of fun I would highly recommend getting some 


Friday, September 06, 2019


Another watercolour original postcard 6x4 inches in size available for only £1.99 FREE POSTAGE in the UK 
This lovely postcard has texture and dreaminess 
If you want something unique to send to a friend through the mail, or indeed would like this to add to your collection please check me out on ebay

Remember to check me out over on instagram

Thursday, September 05, 2019

New affordable art for all

The Black and white cow ATC/ACEO

why not head on over to my ebay store and claim this wonderful ATC ORIGINAL 

All my art is very affordable this atc artist card "2.5x"3.5 in size starts at only £1.55
Created on 300 gsm watercolour paper with ink watercolours and marker 
while you're there why not check out the many other small format art that I have for sale 
postcard originals, artist cards and small art 
From the whimsical to landscapes and colourful art. I'm certain you will like something
please check me out over on instagram
 https://www.instagram.com/mailartjan/

Sunday, November 06, 2016

Free art on cardboard


Free art on cardboard




I have been thinking about creating some free art again as i havent done this in ages and this can also count towards my inktober contribution, I will be leaving this piece in and around my home town of Darlington.Co. Durham. Hopefuly the person who finds it will let me know and I hope will like it. It would be great if that happened and I'm sure would spur me on take make some more. I am hoping to get my friend Louise inspired to create some too as she is a wonderfuly create person and is very dedicated to her art at the moment. Anyway if Louise gets involved i will ask her if i can feature it here on my blog. So stay tuned for more.   I would be so grateful if you would check out my instagram follow and like my work. I truly appreciate any encouragement  here is the link  MY INSTAGRAM

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Day of the dead girl

Day of the dead girl # Dia de los muertos

I have finaly managed to create some art for 
HALLOWEEN and of course INKTOBER
I thought perhaps a day of the dead girl was fitting as i would imagine most people know it is inspired by those wonderful sugar skulls although November 1st and 2nd is the day they choose for thier festival in mexico other wise known as 

 Día de los Muertos

The day of the dead
I found an informative website that has some history of the day of the dead which i will link to at the end.
Anyway still wanting some feedback and to hear from you, please leave a comment and let me know your favourite thing about HALLOWEEN or if your in Mexico, THE DAY OF THE DEAD
I  would love to hear what people are doing to celebrate. 
My daughter is hosting an elaborate HALLOWEEN themed party complete with a hot tub. Of course i am going as a skeleton with a sugar skull face if i get around to it i might post some photos later.
Anyway have a safe and happy HALLOWEEN! 
come back soon
and here is that web link as promised http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/support/dodhistory.html