Watercolors History

Many of us became conscious about the world of watercolors when we enter preschool. As a young student, you may have been asked to bring from home various art materials among them being crayons, thick pencils, colorful erasers and watercolors. Truly, our childhood days were filled with vivid colors and pictures. And you know what? The watercolor itself has a colorful history to share, too.

Watercolors is used both as a medium and a method: The artist did a watercolor of a rose using watercolors…

The manipulation of watercolor in history dates back to, at least, the paleolithic era – watercolor-based drawings have been found in the caves of early humans in Europe. These drawings are 32,000+ years old and included not only “decorations,” but portraits of an ongoing story of the people who thrived back then.

It is through drawings done in watercolor, that historians were able to figure out livelihood and concepts of people in the past. Watercolors were used as manuscript illuminations for the Egyptians, for example.

In the Renaissance, during the years bridging the 15th and 16th century, Albrecht Durer crafted paintings using the medium to produce botanical and wildlife landscapes. Durer was considered as one of the earliest proponents of watercolor as a medium, in the modern era. Eventually, his work led to the development of a school of watercolor painting in Germany which was spearheaded by Hans Bol, a contemporary of Durer.

Watercolor techniques were widely taught during the Baroque period and were commonly used by easel painters to make sketches and cartoons. The height of watercolor utilization, however, was through the production of wildlife and botanical paintings in the 19th century. The accuracy and the ability of the medium to condense and interpret wildlife and botanical scenes are still an important part of the painter’s toolbox for those illustrating scientific and museum publications.

It was not only in continental Europe, that watercolors dominated the painting world. By the 18th century, this kind of painting became very popular among the aristocrats and the elites of England. It was an art for the upper class of society.

Watercolor was noted as a good educational tool, especially for women, in the era, too. And then the workers realized that watercoloring were for them as well. People such as mapmakers, surveyors, architects and engineers used watercolors to draw terrains and other geological data and public projects. The subsequent demand for skillful watercolorists led to a hunt for “topographical painters” and finally artists had a “real job.”

Adding to that, watercolor based drawings were included in publications and manuscripts causing further growth of the medium. It was a great way to illustrate works of both fiction and non-fiction.

Through a combination of natural pigments, a binder such as arabic gum, additives and a solvent, watercolors have illustrated the history of humanity. Though it may seem a simple medium, it has evolved into a method of art that, in itself, launched changes in history. Water and colors have painted the world of the past, of today and will do so far into the future.

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A Little Watercolors History related articles from the blogosphere…

“The Artist's Eye: Vernon P. Johnson's Watercolors of 1950s Small …

In August, Johnson published a book, which (as one whose own book is a mixture of family history, and cultural history) looks to me to be very interesting. The book, The Artist’s Eye, pays tribute to the 1950s artwork of her father, …

Publish Date: 09/27/2010 15:07

http://andrewleefielding.blogspot.com/2010/09/artists-eye-vernon-p-johnsons.html

PICKED: Michele Banks' Biological Watercolors | Brain Pickings

Now, we’re utterly smitten by Artologica — a series of original watercolor paintings by artist Michele Banks exploring the beauty of natural phenomena, from cell division to tachycardia to bacteria. Heart Attack | Original watercolor …

Publish Date: 09/29/2010 8:00

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2010/09/29/michele-banks-artologica-watercolors/

History of Botanical Illustration and Flower Art

Floral art is strongly connected to illustration art, science, and nature. Pencil, pen and ink, and watercolors are used in botanical illustration. … History of Botanical Illustration and Flower Art …

Publish Date: 05/11/2010 10:02

http://www.suite101.com/content/history-of-botanical-illustration-and-flower-art-a236083

Traditional Chinese Painting – Chinese Flower Bird Painting – Watercolor. Yang O-shi inspired.

Traditional Chinese Painting – Chinese Flower Bird Painting – Watercolor.Chinese Bird Flower Painting. Flower Bird Landscapes. This evening I thought a severe Tea-Bird would pass the time. The paper is a single weight Chinese paper bought for me by M…

Watercolor Painting Fun For Kids

Many parents buy their kids a simple watercolor set as young as six years old to make painting as easy learning experience for them. Aside from instilling the value of art appreciation, parents encourage their kids to paint using watercolors for many good reasons. Watercolor painting fun for kids can teach them the value of resourcefulness, creativity, patience, and perseverance.

Getting Started

Next to using crayons, kids are very fond of using watercolors when painting. Aside from being an enjoyable activity that kids can share with their parents, painting using watercolor can also be one of those activities they can share with their playmates and friends.

But, before you get too excited in teaching your kids the beauty of watercolor painting, there are some things you need to consider:

1. Interest. The first thing to consider when encouraging your kids to get into watercolor painting is their interest in the craft. If your child is one of those who are into art and into drawing or collecting pretty images, then she or he is the perfect candidate for the activity. This is because she/he already has the drive and the creativity to create another masterpiece. But if your child is not yet interested in crafts and arts, it doesn’t mean he/she cannot indulge into watercolor painting. You may just need to take a different approach with the thought that this is the perfect time to introduce him/her into a new world of exciting and enjoyable activity. The world of art that he or she may not have noticed before.

2. Space. Aside from the desire of your child to explore art, another thing you need to consider is the availability of space where your kids can do the activity. Since watercolor painting can require a lot of materials, you will need a space big enough for them to sprawl out and to scatter the materials they will use for watercolor painting. It is advisable that you provide a space where kids can do their watercolor painting and a place where they can leave their stuff.

3. Availability and cost of supplies. You also need to take into account the amount of materials and the cost of supplies your child will need. Since you are about to teach him or her basic watercolor painting, you will need a basic set of paints and pigments, brushes, papers, palette and water. These items are not too expensive, but knowing your budget will make shopping for these items easier.

Since you will be the one teaching your child about watercolor painting, it would be best if you are familiar with art at some level. This maybe a great opportunity for you to learn watercolor painting on your own. When your child sees you doing the activity, he or she will be influenced in engaging into the craft.

One way to learn the basics of watercolor painting is to take a crash course online. Aside from the basic techniques in watercolor painting, you can also learn painting tips and application methods. By enrolling to an online watercolor painting class, you can also be introduced to different styles and modern techniques.

The length of the various watercolor painting courses available depends on your knowledge about the craft and how much more would you want to learn. But, basic online courses for watercolor painting usually last from four days up to one week. Then, you will be asked to complete the rest of the exercises at home.

But no matter where you are at personally with watercoloring… Introducing your kids to the art of watercolor painting can be fun for you as well as for them.

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Watercolor Painting Fun For Kids related articles from the blogosphere…

Kids love watercolors! | BabyCenter

Then the kids use their watercolor sets and get painting. The affect is similar to a giant coloring book and who doesn’t love a giant coloring book? It is so much fun, and so easy! Even if you don’t possess any artistic skill at all, …

Publish Date: 09/21/2010 7:24

http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/kids-love-watercolors/

Beat Boredom with Fun Crafts: Keep Kids Busy with These Easy Kids …

Here is some fun hands-on activities for all ages to keep them busy when it’s raining outside or simply to hot to venture go out to play. Scratch and Sniff Painting – this is fun for the older ones as well. What You Need. watercolor …

Publish Date: 09/06/2007 1:00

http://www.suite101.com/content/beat-boredom-with-fun-crafts-a30645

Teach Children What it Means to Give: Holiday Gifts Kids Can Make

Children’s Drawings and Paintings. A child’s simple crayon drawing or watercolor painting, dressed in an inexpensive frame, can be a treasure for a parent, grandparent, or favorite aunt or uncle. A box of crayons or watercolors and …

Publish Date: 12/05/2008 13:13

http://www.suite101.com/content/christmas-gifts-kids-can-make-a82387

Art for Kids : Art for Kids: How to Paint a Watercolor Fish

A watercolor painting of a fish can be done for fun or to decorate the bathroom. Paint watercolor fish with tips from an art teacher in this free video on art for kids. Expert: Pauline Stannard Bio: Pauline Stannard has over 20 years of teaching expe…

Technorati Tags : painting watercolor their child

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