On November 23rd annually, the art world turns its gaze toward a unique and expressive medium: watercolor. World Watercolor Day has been celebrated since 1991, thanks to the efforts of renowned Mexican watercolorist Alfredo Guati Rojo. Rojo fervently believed that watercolor could capture the world’s beauty just as vividly as oil paintings. Before Rojo’s intervention, many relegated watercolor to the sidelines, deeming it apt only for “children’s drawings.” But today, it stands proud, with artists globally appreciating its charm. 1

Watercolor: A Glimpse into its Past and Artistry

Watercolors, sometimes referred to as aqua paints, signify not just the paint itself but also the technique and the resultant artwork. Watercolor art is a fine blend of painting and graphics. It borrows the color richness from painting and the thin-layer application from graphics, with paper playing a vital role as both material and a pictorial element.

Historically, the method of diluting pigments with water traces back several centuries. Before the emergence of watercolors, artists relied on other water-soluble paints like sepia, Chinese ink, and slavkarmin. These were denser and lacked transparency. However, watercolor’s evolution brought forth a medium that could exquisitely express effects like airiness, moisture, and especially rain, a challenge many painters grappled with.

Today’s watercolor techniques are versatile. Alongside traditional watercolor paints, artists incorporate tools like pastels, pencils, pens, and inks. To achieve unique effects, some even use unconventional items like salt crystals, black tea, crumpled paper, or employ the splashing method, where paint droplets are flicked chaotically from the brush.

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Fun Facts about Watercolors

  1. Ancient Beginnings: The earliest known watercolor paintings are cave paintings in Paleolithic Europe, with the oldest examples dating back as far as 60,000 years. 2
  2. The Royal Touch: Queen Victoria of England loved watercolor painting. She not only appreciated the art form but was also an amateur watercolorist herself. 3
    Queen Victoria watercolor
  3. Luminous Effect: Watercolor’s signature glow comes from the paper showing through the paint, reflecting light back to the viewer’s eyes. 4
  4. No White Paint: Traditional watercolor techniques often shy away from using white paint. Instead, artists leave areas of the paper unpainted to show highlights.
  5. Watercolor in Space: In 2015, astronaut Scott Kelly painted the first watercolor in space aboard the International Space Station. He painted a simple Earth scene with the caption “I miss the Earth’s colors.” 5
  6. Erasable Nature: Unlike oil paintings, watercolors are not permanent. Even after they dry, adding water can reactivate the paint, making it possible to make changes, but also posing a risk if not stored properly.
  7. Not Just Paper: While paper is the most common substrate for watercolor painting, artists also use other materials like silk, wood, canvas, and even papyrus.
  8. Quick Drying: Watercolors dry faster than oil or acrylic paints due to their water base, making them a favorite for artists who like to work quickly.
  9. Historical Uses: Before photography, watercolors were often used for documentary purposes. Botanists, explorers, and archaeologists used watercolor to capture scenes and specimens in their studies because of its portability and quick-drying properties.

Why World Watercolor Day is Important

Celebrating Craftsmanship: World Watercolor Day is not just a day to recognize the medium but also to celebrate the countless artists who have mastered its nuances. The artists’ dexterity and understanding of the medium are paramount to make the paint come alive on paper.

Historical Linkages: Watercolor has been an instrumental medium in recording history. Before the advent of photography, explorers, botanists, and archeologists used watercolors to capture their findings and observations. The medium’s ability to dry quickly made it a favorite for those on the move, ensuring that many moments from the past weren’t lost to time.

A Medium of Versatility: Over the years, watercolor has evolved, showcasing its adaptability and resilience. Once considered apt only for “children’s drawings”, it has proven its mettle in the professional art world time and again. It can be as detailed as any intricate artwork or as free-flowing and abstract as the artist’s imagination.

Unveiling Emotions: The fluidity and transparency of watercolors have a unique way of evoking emotions. The way colors blend, the play of light and shadow, and the unpredictability of how water moves the pigment can capture the intangible – feelings, moods, and atmospheres.

Bridging Gaps: World Watercolor Day is a global celebration, uniting artists and enthusiasts from all corners of the world. It emphasizes the universal language of art, highlighting how different cultures can communicate and bond over their shared love for watercolor painting.

A Testament to Nature’s Beauty: Watercolors are often used to depict the natural world. The medium’s inherent softness and flow resonate perfectly with the grace and fluidity of nature. It’s no surprise that some of the most evocative landscapes, serene seascapes, and vibrant flora are often painted in watercolor.

Innovation and Experimentation: The medium continues to inspire artists to experiment. As techniques evolve, we see watercolor being used in conjunction with other mediums, digital interpretations, and even 3D installations. World Watercolor Day serves as a reminder of this continuous evolution and innovation in the art world.

Celebrating World Watercolor Day

World Watercolor Day provides an opportunity for both artists and enthusiasts to delve deep into this mesmerizing medium. Here’s a list of ways in which the day is traditionally celebrated and how you can join in:

  1. Art Exhibitions: Galleries worldwide host special exhibitions dedicated to watercolor masterpieces. It’s a chance for artists to display their work and for spectators to immerse themselves in the world of watercolor.
  2. Flash Mobs: In various cities, spontaneous gatherings or flash mobs form where participants, armed with their brushes and paints, bring to life animals, famous personalities, or abstract thoughts right on the spot.
  3. Watercolor Workshops: Many art schools and community centers organize workshops for both novices and experts. These sessions are great for honing skills or even trying watercolor painting for the first time.
  4. Children’s Art Auctions: Encouraging young talent is vital. Auctions featuring children’s watercolor artworks not only boost their confidence but often, the proceeds go to charitable causes, combining art and goodwill.
  5. Online Challenges: With the digital age, many artists take to social media platforms to showcase their talent. Look out for hashtags or challenges related to World Watercolor Day and participate or simply appreciate the global talent.
  6. Art Supply Discounts: Some art stores offer special discounts on watercolor supplies for the day, making it an ideal time for artists to stock up on their favorite brands or for beginners to get started.
  7. Nature Painting: Given watercolor’s ability to capture the essence of nature, many artists head outdoors, setting up their easels in parks, by lakesides, or mountain tops, to draw inspiration directly from nature.
  8. Appreciation Posts: If you’re a fan of watercolor but not necessarily an artist, take a moment to share and appreciate your favorite watercolor artworks or artists online, helping to spread the love for this unique medium.

Wrap-Up

To all watercolor artists and enthusiasts, here’s wishing you a vibrant World Watercolor Day. May your artistry continue to captivate, and may the admiration for your creations remain boundless. Embrace the softness, transparency, and versatility of watercolor, and let your imagination run wild.

Reviewed by HolidayToday Staff

Alex’s Take on World Watercolor Day

Well, guys, I couldn’t let this holiday pass me by. Drawing has always been a passion of mine, and watercolor, in particular, holds a special place in my heart. Aside from that “You Can Draw in 30 Days” book by Kistler, I’ve never taken formal lessons in drawing. But that never stopped me from thoroughly enjoying it and finding solace in my sketches. The beauty of sketching and watercolors is that they don’t require you to be a master artist. A few tutorial videos, like those from TobySketchLoose on YouTube, can get you started. The key is not to get too hung up on perfection; it’s all about having fun with it. So, dive right in! I’m off to grab my sketchbook as well. What a wonderful holiday! Oh, and by the way, here is one of my sketches from my trip to Italy.

italy

And here’s a video to get you started:

References

  1. https://www.facebook.com/MuseoDeLaAcuarela/posts/2110564498978801/ ↩
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watercolor_painting ↩
  3. https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/victoria-albert-art-love/the-queens-gallery-buckingham-palace/queen ↩
  4. https://paintwithscott.com/what-makes-watercolors-different ↩
  5. https://issuu.com/faircountmedia/docs/international_20space_20station_2020_20years_20of_/s/11233464 ↩

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