The true art of watercolor

Written By:

No data was found

A great number of artists have explored the aesthetic possibilities of watercolor, in addition to its versatile interaction with other artistic techniques such as engraving, photography and sculpture.

"No one, since immemorial time, felt free to mix water and color."

-Alfredo Guati Rojo ,1990.

Watercolor painting is found throughout the art of humanity. It dates back to prehistoric times in the caves of Altamira and Lascaux where water was mixed with reds and ochers obtained from the earth and the black pigment from the charcoal of the bonfires to capture the ideas of primitive man.

Watercolor is an artistic technique with unique qualities, results and needs. For a long time, this technique was considered a hobby art, however, over the years it has been increasingly valued by exploring its possibilities and high quality results, since it is distinguished by the richness of its colors, the transparency of its tones and the spontaneity of its strokes.

For the master Abel Vázquez (Mexican plastic artist of great trajectory) watercolor is an art of great character, and the intermediary for the creation of his works in large format with acrylics and other techniques; it is his starting point and the first sketch to solve the world of color of the work to be done.

Abel has been working with her since he was very young and she has led him to create famous works and to develop all the concepts for them, “she gives me the guideline, she is where the range of transparencies is presented to solve the color,” says the artist.

In the specialized and personalized workshop taught by the master on this technique, 4 main elements are studied: the substrate, the behavior of the pigment, the tool to fix it to the support (brushes) and the artist’s style, the latter being one of the important elements to be polished by the master Vazquez. Any artist or person who ventures into the plastic arts should go through watercolor and drawing, recommends the master.

A great number of artists have explored the aesthetic possibilities of watercolor, in addition to its versatile interaction with other artistic techniques such as engraving, photography and sculpture.

Currently watercolor is highly positioned in the art world, proof of this is the number of artists who specialize in it, the Biennials where they participate with the technique, international exhibitions of great renown and the creation of the National Museum of Watercolor in Mexico.