Watercolor Artist

Packed with page after gorgeous page of illustrations demonstrating tried-and-true techniques, inspirational ideas and the most up-to-date information about must-have painting tools and materials, watercolorists find everything they need in WATERCOLOR ARTIST to help them create stunning art...from start to finish.

Editor's Note

Watercolor Artist

Winners' Nuances Capture Juror's Attention in NWWS 83rd International Open Exhibition

William Blake: Visionary • THE GETTY CENTER, LOS ANGELES

“A Marvelous Place to Paint” • For more than 40 years, OGDEN MINTON PLEISSNER recorded his journeys in watercolor.

Colorful Collage • Explore the vibrant world of stained paper collage to infuse a sense of freshness and depth into your art.

Paper Play

Creating Color & Dimension

A Symbiotic Relationship • Try these two impactful tools to strengthen the vital connection between value and color.

TOOL 1: PHOTO DESATURATION MODE

TOOL 2: VALUE/COLOR CHART • This second tool—a “non-tech,” but extremely helpful reference chart—enables you to correlate colors with their value partners, ensuring a more effective painting outcome.

Three-Sketch Audition • Now for the big payoff! You can “test” the viability of an image or scene you're considering as a painting by first creating sequential shape, value and color thumbnail sketches.

WHERE IDEAS BEGIN • CREATIVE INSPIRATION COMES TO ME FROM MANY PLACES, BUT WHEN IT STRIKES, IT USUALLY REQUIRES A SERIES OF PAINTINGS TO FULLY EXPLORE IT. HERE'S THE STORY BEHIND MY LATEST, MOST PERSONAL SERIES YET.

Inspired by Storytelling

Finishing Steps

Tend to the Garden of Your Mind • From color study to final details, follow the key stages in the making of my watercolor painting, which is inspired by a Buddhist principle that teaches followers to avoid divisive and deceptive speech.

Led to Abstraction • RUTH ARMITAGE EMBRACES THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN— SHAPE, COLOR, SPACE, FORM, LINE, VALUE, AND TEXTURE— TO TELL A STORY WITH EMOTION.

Line & Value

Pushing the Limits

Wellspring of Creativity • INSPIRED BY THE TRADITIONS OF VILLAGE CULTURE, EJOUMALE DJEARAMIN REFLECTS THE INTRICACIES OF WATERCOLOR IN HIS MISTY URBANSCAPES.

The Best of 2023 (in Watercolor) • EACH YEAR, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON SOME OF THE YEAR'S BEST PAINTINGS. OF COURSE, “BEST” IS SUBJECTIVE, BUT ONE WAY A PAINTING EARNS THAT DISTINCTION IS TO STAND OUT IN COMPETITION. THAT'S WHY WE TURN TO ART SOCIETIES TO BRING OUR ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE MOST CELEBRATED WATERCOLORS OF THE YEAR.

Juror Insights

Three Planes of Vision • Discover the art of capturing depth and perspective in landscape painting.

Venice Canal • Follow along as I use the three planes of vision to create a Venetian water scene.

What's something you like to do to get yourself out of a creative rut?

San Diego, California • Geoff Allen shares a fascination with the salty side of harbor life in a watercolor from his favorite on-site painting location.