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12 Years Ago
FAA has many outstanding watercolor artists.
Please share the notable watercolor artists that you enjoy and follow.
Watercolors can go in so many directions: realism,impressionism, abstract ect.
In your thinking, what makes a great watercolor painting?
Reply Order
12 Years Ago
Not watercolor Warren, but if you really dig impressions like Virginia's, you may enjoy Allen Lehman. Tuscan Doorway would be my suggestion.
12 Years Ago
Many have the preconceived idea that watercolor must follow a certain path, namely, a loose style in which a splashed on effect is the only one desirable. That is one approach. Another approach is to use watercolor as a defined and thought out rendition, showing detail as one might expect from an oil painting. Gouache is also a medium that makes detailed works that compare to oils. I have seen watercolors on FAA that compare with oils. Very good!
12 Years Ago
Right you are Raffi. Few can match the style of Andrew Wyeth whose work took on the look of a finished oil but he worked in watercolor, gouache, and egg tempura. I have long been a fan of the Wyeths. For a number of years I lived close to the museum in Chadds Ford and went there countless times just to study the works of Wyeth and others.
12 Years Ago
Marlene...I am truely amazed at such realism.
If you did not know...you could not tell the difference in a watercolor or a photo.
My question...if you wanted to create a mood or a painting that appeared that way
would you go for that degree of realism?
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Kip..I have followed Ken Powers' beautiful watercolors as well.
12 Years Ago
warren, only if you could...and denny clearly can.
he is in a league of his own. i check his portfolio every week without fail.
12 Years Ago
the level of technical skill is mindboggling...then you combine his masterful design ability in creating an intricate composition.
i'd all but kill to own a denny bond original!
12 Years Ago
Denny Bond? for real? nuh uh! that is not a watercolor! i need to see him paint it with my own eyes :)
12 Years Ago
watercolor is a medium,. not a style.
jamie, denny is for real..google him...very impressive!
and in his own words:
Denny Bond
East Petersburg, PA - United States
Denny Bond - Fine Artist
A nationally recognized award winning watercolorist and illustrator, my recent works have been published in Watercolor Artist, February, 2008, and American Artist, June, 2007, showcasing several of my paintings and describing my technique of painting.
I approach each painting with the thought of wanting to return to review it again at a later date. If I can capture that interest within myself, the content and execution of the painting is successful. All my paintings are created with permanent liquid watercolors with the use of masking fluid for areas to create texture, and capture white light. The watercolors are then layered several times to achieve the desirable color and all surface edges are softened many times to produce the effect of photo realism, viewed either from a distance or close up.�
A graduate of Kutztown University with a BFA in Commercial Art (Communications,) I originally began my career as a graphic designer and illustrator in a design studio, but now I work solely as a freelance illustrator and fine artist. I am a signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society sgg, the Baltimore Watercolor Society, the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, and Watercolor USA.
12 Years Ago
Jamie,,,, he is absolutely real,,,, which of course makes his work frigging UNREAL! haha LOL
12 Years Ago
warren, i certainly hope you aren't looking for an argument. and just wanting to debate for the sake of debate.
i would also do about anything to be able to stand a few feet away from a denny bond original.
once one realizes that his art is created brush stroke by brush stroke, there would be absolutely NO CONTEST.
i would never try to compare apples with oranges.
i appreciate a good photograph for a plethora of other talents....i do not have many of those skills, being a painter, but i certainly admire them!
i am sure many a photographer would agree that they do not possess what is required to reach the masterful level that denny has as a watercolor painter.
12 Years Ago
Warren,
did you also mean acrylic watercolors? Check out Allen's color explosions ...
Watercolor abstracts are so interesting because you learn so much about the artist's subconscious through viewing the artwork.
Great idea for a discussion, Warren and a wonderful way to help each other get our art work seen. Thank you.
12 Years Ago
Interesting aside -- re Hyperrealism painting -- I've encountered comparison of the mastery of various world renowned artists' skilled technique to that represented in photography.
Acrylic painter Robert Bateman works have the same clarity & detail of Denny Bond's -- I don't really care it's 'like a photograph' -- it isn't -- art of their caliber is a rare achievement.
There's a prevailing theory that if it's 'perfect' how could the artist possibly be expressing their creativity -- their passion?
To those in doubt -- research the artist biographies -- plenty of evidence of innovation & passion.
12 Years Ago
Just wanted to add,,, as a painter,,,, to achieve anything similar to the likes of Denny or Roberts work,,, you have to live the passion! It takes an incredible amount of sweat and blood to create such mind numbing works. Not to mention of course that once that level of perfection has been achieved (after all,,, isn't 'perfection' an almost unattainable goal,,, but a GOAL none the less) there is no turning back,,, ever! It is a self destructive balancing act,,,, dangerous waters. One that I can only DREAM of ever swimming in. IMO :>)
12 Years Ago
Wow Warren,,,, 'Mystic Shore' is gorgeous!! Thanks for posting it,,, gotta go see more.... :>)
12 Years Ago
Fabio Cembranelli's demo:
He make it look so easy!
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2122148347540
12 Years Ago
What makes a great water color painting?... there is no one answer. it totally depends on what it is your trying to do. This one is dark in color, you would not expect very bright colors for the above. A sun lite set up would be totally different.
About the only thing I can say is that a great watercolor is is more likely if the artist has excellent control and excellent drawing ability , followed be excellent sense of color. I say excellent as it is in your face, its difficult to hide an error and most of it needs to be done perfect first shot, all the way through
12 Years Ago
Ok, after seeing all of these amazing paintings, I have to get out my paints and create. I have been inspired by the amazing talent represented here! I can only hope to one day paint as well!!!
12 Years Ago
Have you heard of this young British watercolorist.
http://www.kieronwilliamson.com/
12 Years Ago
Talk about beautifully stunning!.....WOW!
Denny is probably my favorite, but I like them all.
12 Years Ago
i dont want to put a self serving promotion of my art but i have to say i like water colour because the beauty of taming its liquidity to form a stunning creation of its own limitless effect and uniqueness like how a good prose and poetry can be differ in definition...makes its brilliants and vibrancy truly a pigment fantasy to be executed in finesse and unbound mastery like the above featured masterpieces.
-Saigon
12 Years Ago
Thanks for the edit notice, Warren. And, wow, your image "Ephesus...." is absolutely stunning.....please share how you accomplished this new direction, though I do see it as yet another of your accomplished Artworks.
And in answer to the invitation, I'll be back with many a fav., including this of my own, which is indeed my fav in my oeuvre....there's something humourous about it to me....as if I didn't take the medium too seriously, and had a great play instead...anyway.....
Warren, are you including acrylics in this category of waterpaintings? Just wondering.
12 Years Ago
Thanks Vivian. Not a teacher
but we laid down an abstract background of yellow,red and blue in a random pattern.
After it dries I did the drawing. It's alot of negitive painting and painting in shadows with building values.
Even when you go over the abstract areas you get a nice transparent look.
This is a work in progress. I am nearing the end & have added an abstract sky on the right.
12 Years Ago
I'm mad about these transparent washes too. I manage to do 'it' with oil paintings too....very carefully. I use only transparent colours...sap green,ultra,winsor red,etc., and wait !! forever !! And one can be heavier-handed with oils, so I often scrape away all but the stain, which makes waiting easier. There are beautiful 'stainers' in watercolours, too....they lay a lovely foundation for the next stage, and can be blotted back too, so the light glows from the paper below....it's thrilling isn'it it!
12 Years Ago
really enjoyed reading this thread and viewing all the beautiful watercolour artworks! so amazing and inspirational
i've only painted a few watercolour paintings in my lifetime, as for some reason, i seem to prefer acrylics it turns out.
thanks Warren for posting this discussion
12 Years Ago
Check out Ed Klien from Las Vegas, he is a member on FAA and the work is quite striking!
12 Years Ago
Hiya guys,
Although I don't consider myself a watercolor artist, here is the only watercolor painting featured here at FAA. Years ago, when I was an illustrator in NYC, I painted products and some book covers with watercolors. I painted watercolors in the opaque method, which is not recognized by the American Watercolor Society as the correct style using watercolors. In this painting of my dog, Duke, I used white paint which is considered a no no by the AWS.
.
12 Years Ago
A Facebook friend shared this watercolor artist with me:
Joseph Zbukvic
http://jzbukvic.com/paintings.html
12 Years Ago
Joseph Zbukvic , together with Alvaro Castagnet and a few others is a living Master of Impressionist Watercolor: I personally attended a workshop with Castagnet last year, he is a very charismatic and fun person!
12 Years Ago
http://www.alvarocastagnet.net/
Alvaro Castagnet
Thanks!
12 Years Ago
Thanks for editing the post, Warren. I'm a very long way from mastering this medium as I only began 18 months ago (having worked in oils for as long as I can remember), but here's one of my efforts. There are so many wonderful watercolourists on FAA who are inspirational for novices like me.
12 Years Ago
Thanks very much for your nice comments and that tip, Warren. I'll check out that website when I have a little spare time.
11 Years Ago
I really love water colour, and it was my most favourite since my childhood before starting oil...I enjoy it a lot though it seems very challenging to me.... all my previous water colour works I already gifted long time back and did not take any photographs (I did not think art 'professionally' at that time)..recently did some water colour work not in its usual way but used water colour to make 'madhubani' a form of traditional Indian art... If you want please have a look at those below.. I didnt post them as I am not a watercolour artist and these works are not done in a way that water colour effects are realised...might not suit this thread, thats why.. :)
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lady-in-ornaments-shakhenabat-kasana.html
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-journey-by-rickshaw-shakhenabat-kasana.html
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/dancing-woman-shakhenabat-kasana.html
Thanks,
Kasana
11 Years Ago
Thanks alot Marylin.
Shakhenabat...Your links have beautiful intense colors and just shows the diversity of watercolors.
You might like to share your work with a world wide audience that is for support at
wetcanvas.com They have a nice Watercolor Gallery.
11 Years Ago
I've never been a huge fan of watercolor ... I guess because most of what I have seen has not been all that great ... UNTIL I found this site and seen the fabulous watercolorists who display their work here . . .
This series of images by Brain Kessinger has intrigued me ... I love the monochromatic pallette and the touch of whimsy and relaxed style (maybe relaxed is not a great description but they're anyting but stiff and stilted! )
And Denny Bond ? wow, Wow, WOW!! I am in awe!
11 Years Ago
Hi, I am not an exclusively watercolour artist but watercolour work attarcts me profoundly. I have made these works recently by being inspired by this thread which gives me an exposour to brilliant works of watercolour artists.. Compared to others mine are very immatured I know..I am learning my most favourite medium..thanks,
Beloved Autumn, I just finished now..
Regards,
Kasana
11 Years Ago
I agree with Raffi and Kevin and by that I mean, watercolor is my principal medium, its easy for me to use, more forgiving than oils and you can get good quality color and shading from a technical perspective if that's your thing. I've always liked watercolor for crisp lines and color, it gives a magical sometimes wispy look to color, deplending on subject, and its the best medium for me to use given my subjects and style. Plus, I don't get much time to paint so if my work has to sit for several days, its easy to sit down and start where you left off. I've gotten plenty of comments about my work not being traditional watercolor, but to me, its about the story you're telling with the color. Just my 2 cents worth
11 Years Ago
Glad you agree, Warren. I can't get to her site yet also........think it's because she's new?
EDIT: I've told Tech Support....
11 Years Ago
A new artist I met at the Maitland Art Festival mentioned Alvaro Castagnet:
http://www.alvarocastagnet.net/
He has some beautiful work.
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11 Years Ago
The new artist I met is Jim Holehouse of Winter Garden Fl.
His work has strong and beautiful colors.
http://www.tropicartdesign.com/index.html
11 Years Ago
Was able to see the works of Mary Whyte at the Telfair Academy in Savannah, Ga. recently.
Amazing work:
http://marywhyte.com/paintings.php?gcID=11
Any watercolor artists that you follow...FAA or not?
http://www.colemanfineart.com/2010-detail.asp?artID=7&gaID=1125
Here is one for 120,000.!
11 Years Ago
http://www.teamingpondinc.com/
Not sure if I have ever posted this link.
She is a local artist and teacher who does abstract realism in watercolor.
11 Years Ago
First Angel interviews Alfred Ng:
http://1stangel.co.uk/blog/2012/alfred-ng-talks-the-talk-with-1stangel/
11 Years Ago
Hello, I am very new on watercolouring. I discovered this thread just today. I hope you would not mind me following the discussion and getting
leads to others so that I may learn from them? Thank you!
11 Years Ago
http://www.californiawatercolor.com/collections/vendors?q=Ken+Potter
Just saw Ken Potters watercolors. Not sure he is on FAA.
10 Years Ago
http://www.app.com/article/20130428/NJENT08/304280085/Post-Sandy-Paintings-memorialize-Shore-before-storm?nclick_check=1
Great article.
theresatroiseheidel.com
10 Years Ago
The medium of watercolor/gouache is one that I am just rediscovering for myself. I love the way I can become absolutely lost to the world when I paint with watercolor.
Since I'm still on my learning curve, I love to look at other watercolorists for inspiration and motivation.
Here are some of my favorites:
Here's where I am on my journey:
Sometimes I wonder if being a Pisces has anything to do with my love of this medium. ;)
10 Years Ago
Just wanted to share a book I'm reading.
http://www.catherinegill.com/
Her book on Powerful Watercolor Landscapes is excellent!
10 Years Ago
All amazing work. Watercolors are not easy at all. I am blown away by the artists who can do realism with watercolor.
-Roz Barron Abellera
10 Years Ago
all water colour
http://sanjay-punekar.artistwebsites.com/art/all/landscapes/all
please see my all artworks
http://sanjay-punekar.artistwebsites.com/
thanks