The Art of Painting: Watercolor Paints

The art of painting dates back to pre-historic times, the finger used as a paintbrush on the canvas of cave walls. When it comes to painting, artists have many mediums to choose from: acrylics, oils, gouache, fresco, and watercolors. Watercolors is one of the toughest mediums to achieve, its transparent streaks almost impossible to cover up and its various techniques prestigous and precise, but satisfying when accomplished. The incentive a watercolor artist has to get a taste of perfecting their talents is impecable; therefore, striving for perfection can only be accomplished with the understanding of the watercolor history, the use of the tools of the trade, the practice of techniques, and observation of former artists’ approaches.

Scenes of Stone Age people hunting animals are some of the earliest examples of watercolor paintings (Mules). Although unclear whether gums or oils were used in cave paintings, gum arabic was first used in pre-historic times where man was quick to recognize natural material’s potential (Robinson). When paper was invented in China in A.D. 105, 1,000 years before it was produced in Europe, Chinese artists were far more advanced in watercolors than European artists. The far Eastern traditions differ greatly from those of Western painting – instead of expressing their feelings and capturing their inner spirit such as the Chinese and Japanese artists, Western painters described their surroundings and outward appearance. (Mules)

In the 18th century, the founder of Reeves Art Company, William Reeves, produced the first ready-made watercolors in cake form, changing the practice of watercolor painting (Steel). This inivation sparked the watercolor movement; William Winsor and Henry Newton, both chemists and...

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