Watercolor – A Popular Medium Of Painting

Watercolors have been used by artists all over the world for centuries. This medium is a great way to express the emotions as well as capture moments of beauty.

Watercolor, as its name implies, is a kind of paint that is composed of a water-soluble pigment. These paints have a great range in value, from light colors to dark, with an amazing ability for subtle shading. Historians believe the use of watercolor as a medium started during the paleolithic Europe, but the history of this art medium is most easily tracked from the beginning of the Renaissance.

The most important traditions in watercolor paintings are considered to be botanical and wildlife illustrations. Watercolor painting spread during the 18th century because of some factors, as explorers and scientists began cataloging plant and animal species around the world. And soon, people who belonged in the elite and aristocratic families, valued skill at watercolor painting as one of the incidental adornments of a good education.

Another use of watercolor, as a popular medium, came about as it was found to be an effective way to depict properties, terrain, fortifications and to illustrate public works for surveyors, mapmakers, military officers and engineers. It was just easier for people “out in the field” to carry sheets of paper and dried paints, ready for a little added water to illustrate what was before them. As the popularity and uses of watercolors flourished, heavier papers and more specialized brushes were invented.

There are four basic ingredients in watercolor paints. Pigment is the most important. It gives color to the paint. Natural minerals were the earliest known pigments. Arabic gum, on the other hand, is the one responsible for holding the pigment in suspension and fixing it to the painting surface. To change the viscosity, hiding, durability or color of the pigment, additives must be added. Lastly, a solvent, water, is needed to thin or dilute the paint for application.

In the past, using watercolors required a lot more labor as they were available in small blocks that needed to be wetted and rubbed out in water. Today, the modern commercial watercolor paints are available in two forms. The first type is sold in collapsible metal tubes in standard sizes. The other one is called pan paints that are available in two sizes.

These commercial watercolor paints are made in two grades. Some paints are formulated with fewer fillers. They are called “artist quality” paints. Having fewer kaolin or chalk makes the watercolors have richer colors and lead to more vibrant mixes.

On the other hand, some paints are formulated with less pigment. These paints are called “student grade” paints.

Watercolor painting is done in several techniques. Washes and glazes are two basic techniques. To disguise or efface individual brush strokes in the painting, a diluted paint is applied to produce a unified area of color. This is a wash. To apply one paint color at the top of a previous paint layer is called a glaze.

Another technique is wet and wet. This technique is considered to be one of the most distinctive features of watercolor painting. The application of paint or water to an area of the painting which has already had with either paint or water applied is how this technique is done. For precision and control, a drybrush is the best technique to use. Building up or mixing the paint colors with short precise touches that blend together to avoid the appearance of pointilism is the objective of the technique.

[phpbay]Watercolor Medium, 8, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Watercolor Medium related articles from the blogosphere…

40 Extremely Mesmerizing Examples Of Traditional & Digital …

Everyone has used watercolor in some part of his life and would agree that watercolors is the best medium to showcase the inner talent more easily. Watercolor.

Publish Date: 09/29/2010 13:46

http://www.neurosoftware.ro/programming-blog/facebook-web-design/web-resources/40-extremely-mesmerizing-examples-of-traditional-digital-watercolor-painting/

Diana M. Davis Watercolor: Iridescent Medium on Hummer

I use Winsor Newton Iridescent Watercolor Medium very lightly after I finish painting the bird , using a small amount with clear water I glaze the bird, also I used two iridescent powders, one of the powders varies as you look at it …

Publish Date: 08/13/2010 17:06

http://dianamdaviswatercolor.blogspot.com/2010/08/iridescent-medium-on-hummer.html

Types of Mixed Media Art

Often artists use pen and ink to bring out details of tiled roofs, tree bark or cobbled streets that are first painted with transparent watercolors. When working with these two mediums it’s important to first determine which medium will …

Publish Date: 04/30/2010 4:39

http://www.suite101.com/content/types-of-mixed-media-art-a231860

Watercolor Essentials with Birgit OConnor

From ArtistsNetwork.TV: Start by letting go of the fear of watercolor, just add water and color and see what happens. Watercolor moves like no other medium, learn how it reacts and what you can do within this beautiful transparent medium on paper. Th…

Possibly related posts:

• Related posts on Adornments
• Smart and Practical Tips For A Budget Wedding « How to Pick Up Women
• What is the age at which a woman should observe hijab in front of …

• Related posts on Arabic Gum
• Witchcraft Kit
• Buy Portraits And Figures, start of tanjore painting

The Art of Walt Disney’s Donald Duck

I don’t know anybody who hasn’t heard of that lovable cartoon character, Donald Duck.

Did you know that Donald Duck’s real name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck. He is my favorite cartoon character created by Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company. Donald Duck is a typical white duck with an orange beak, legs and feet. You will usually only see him in his sailor shirt, cap, red bow tie and no trousers. He has been voted as the third most popular cartoon character of all time with just Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny topping him.

We can’t help loving him, mostly for his unique personality – his impatience and his explosive temper. Although he is
Mickey Mouse’s best friend, they couldn’t be more different in character.

Donald Duck’s birthday was originally recognized as the 9th
of June 1934, which was the day he made his first appearance in a supporting role in the film, The Wise Little Hen. His birthday is now given as the 13th of March 1942 as he states in his film The Three Caballeros which was released in 1944. More often he is said to have been born on Friday the 13th, as he always seems to have bad luck or get himself into trouble.

Der Fuehrer’s Face was the Movie that Donald Duck won his first Academy Award for. During the 1940’s he featured in more cartoons than his best friend Mickey Mouse.

One of the most famous things about Donald Duck is his angry and nasal voice. This was done by Clarence “Ducky” Nash right up to his death in 1985. Since 1985 the voice has been done by Tony Anselmo, who was trained by Clarence for the role. Donald Duck’s screen personality was created by Dick Lundy, who is a wonderful animator.

Donald also has an extensive cartoon family including his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie, who cause him even more irritation. His Fathers name is Quackmore Duck and his Mother is Hortense Mcduck. He has a wealthy uncle, Scrooge McDuck, another uncle Ludwig Von Drake, an Aunt Bertie Duck, a cousin Gladstone Gander and even a Grandma that lives with his nephews in Duckburg. He has a twin sister Della Thelma Duck, whom we don’t see that often and a brother Duffy Duck.

There are a number of quotes that Donald Duck says on a regular basis that have become famous. They include, “Oh, yeah?”, “Hiya, toots!”, “Aw, phooey!”, “Nothin’ to it!” and his most famous, “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!”

Love him or hate him, everyone enjoys a Donald Duck Cartoon.

About the author: Disney fans, make sure to stop off at http://thedisneydomain.com

[phpbay]Donald Duck art, 15, “”, “”[/phpbay]

The Art of Walt Disney’s Donald Duck related articles from the blogosphere…

Review: Donald Duck and Friends #354 | Major Spoilers – Comic Book …

Both sets of art in this issue are drawn in a very modern-Disney style – recognizable to anyone who’s watched a Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse cartoon made in the last ten years. Bright, colourful, and generally easy to follow, the art …

Publish Date: 05/26/2010 7:25

http://www.majorspoilers.com/review-donald-duck-and-friends-354

Donald Duck Decals | Donald Duck Uncaged

DONALD DUCK DISNEY Wall MURAL Vinyl Decal Sticker. Wall Art Deco Vinyl Decal Sticker Install Area : The decals can be applied on all smooth surfaces, such as Walls, Doors, Windows, Closets, Plastic, Metal, Tiles etc. …

Publish Date: 09/10/2010 22:11

http://www.disneyduck.com/donald-duck-decals/

Top 10 Disney Characters

As early as a year and a half, parents tend to feed their toddler’s entertainment with funny characters and idols such as Mickey Mouse, Mini Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and tons of other cartoon characters. … This man considers himself to be Disney’s number 1 fan and that’s the reason why he shows off his love to Disney Cartoon by tattoo art. As you know, tattoo art has recently become one of the most stylish and original trends among the youth, especially among famous …

Publish Date: 09/24/2010 5:18

http://entertainment.ezinemark.com/top-10-disney-characters-168d981c5de.html

Donald Duck Art

Miscellaneous Donald Duck artwork