Water mediums abound. What does it mean to work in a water medium? There is of course, acrylics which are water based, but the water does not move the pigment. But then there are those mediums for which it is all about the movement of water. Water circling and swirling. Water carrying lighter color more quickly creating shifts of hues no human hand can capture. Water is a treasure to the artist to paint its life and use its spirit.
As I paint in my various watery materials I never cease to be amazed at what happens because of my hand– though often despite it. A subtle shift of a water loaded brush disperses color which twirls back and around. Dropping pigment into a pool creates ebbs and flows of a mini tide.Then of course there is all that can be done as the water dries for each stage brings forth another plethora of options.Learning these is the task of a watercolor artist.
And there must be the exploration into surfaces and the myriad of options at our disposal affect the learnings of the play in water and color. Hot press curtails the creeping flow making pigment seep to the surface of the paper more quickly. Large plopping rain drops create puddles for colors on cold press that may stay put but might slip into drips when the board is tilted. And gold leaf of course produces ranges of values in making back blooms.
Water- to be treasured as its life and properties reveal uncontrollable and uncountable realities. And of course we are blessed for our cold drinks and showers —-