Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” MARGARET ATWOOD.
When I first started to paint with watercolor I was told it was a difficult medium. After a short time in my journey … I AGREED! … Even gave up on it for awhile! Then I thought … well it was tough to start oils and acrylics i just have to figure out how this paint works! Shortly into my determined phase I realized it was NOT the paint but the WATER! … There is water involved in every single element of this medium … its on the paper, its in the paint, its in the brush, its on the paper! And every single element requires my managing it properly. And now I wouldn’t use any other medium. I love its magic and unpredictability … don’t fight with it … go with the flow!!!
The paper weight … 90..140..300.. allows the water to dry and spread at different rates, the content of the paper ..100% cotton or student grade wood fibres changes how the water absorbs and flows, the temperature of the environment … the humidity… all change how the water reacts on the paper! Then when you add a brush load of water/paint … it adds to the excitement.
The paint… in order to use the paint you have to wet it … to activate the gum Arabic that holds it together! lots of water and you have a very light color, less water the paint is more vibrant, and too little it doesn’t flow at all . The paint is applied with a brush … that has water in it… to paper… that has water on it…
The brush is a major factor in controlling the water. I switched to using only a damp kitchen cellulose sponge … wiping it on a paper towel results in inconsistent amounts of water in the brush. Once you ‘know’ how much water you have it is easier to manage the paint values. And when you switch to a different brush you need to assess this critical fact once again.
So … watercolor requires some level of SKILL to control the water. It is what every single student I teach struggles with , but once I figured out the SECRET hiding spots for the water … the brush, the paper, the paint, it became easier … so its not YOU…. Practice makes paintings … its alllllll about the WATER!
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