- What are the global trends in watercolor art?
- What is most valued in watercolor?
- Who is the most popular artist in the world?
Perhaps the best answer to this question is I international competition Watercolors(The 1st World Watercolor Competition), conducted by the popular magazine “The Art of Watercolor”.
1615 artists took part in the competition. 1891 watercolors were presented. The jury first selected 295 semi-finalists and then 23 finalists. 7 artists were awarded prizes.
The works of all participants are published in the competition catalogue.
And this provides a wonderful opportunity to see the “face” - the best watercolors of 2014.
First of all, when I looked through the catalog, I saw the following:
The best watercolors of the world: main trends
Landscapes, as always, are in the majority. Especially urban ones. And if they are presented in some unusual way, then they may well end up in the finals.
Like this work by William Hook, an artist from the USA:
One of the most popular topics is portraits of old people.
I would like to think that this is from universal love and respect for older people, from interest in their lives, from the desire to understand how they live, to see the imprint of time on their faces.
Here are a couple of catalog pages:
Or maybe the topic is raised by many, since the artist is a reflection of public consciousness. And often artists reflect acute social problems in their paintings...
Yes, The topic of national minorities and emigrants, by the way, also often comes up…
Be that as it may, among the 7 winning works, two are portraits of old people.
First place, winner of the competition – Cheng-Wen Cheng, an artist from Taiwan with the painting “Loving Mother”:
The silver medal of the competition went to Chinese artist Guan Weixing for his painting “The Smoking Old Man”:
Are you already wondering who received the Bronze medal?..
In third place is (Hail Celestial Empire!) the Chinese artist Liu Yi. I believe many are familiar with his work from his compositions with ballerinas.
The work “Chinese Girl” was presented at the competition:
I don't know about you, but I see this good sign. East and West are becoming closer to each other. Eastern artists paint in a traditional European manner, and Europeans, on the contrary, study guohua and sumi-e, draw geishas and sakura... There are also such examples in the catalogue.
Here, for example, is a watercolor by the Argentine artist Stella Escalante:
By the way, one more observation – VERY few watercolors with flowers. For the entire catalog with more than 1800 works there are not 30 pieces...
Moreover, most of them are in the second part of the catalogue, “in the slag,” as I called it. What else can you call the eliminated authors whose watercolors did not qualify for the semi-finals? There is slag.
My work, by the way, is also in this row... :) Here are a couple of these “gray” pages, opened at random:
On the gray pages, for the most part, there are some amateur works, with poor drawings and poor technique.
However, there are also very good famous artists. But the jury did not appreciate them.
It was difficult for him, the jury... This is always the question - how to judge? What to take as a measure?
And if with a weak drawing and composition as a whole everything is clear, there are no questions - it’s straight into the slag, then among the professionals you already have to think.
What to prioritize? Socially significant topics? Realism? Innovation in technology? Or, on the contrary, loyalty to traditions?
Of course, artists also ask these same questions. Participation in a competition is an opportunity to look at your creativity from the outside. Who am I? Where am I going? Where am I among other artists? Are people interested in what I'm interested in?
It was these questions that prompted me to submit watercolors to the competition that I myself do not fully understand. This is energy painting. Works that preserve a certain energy-information component.
Marina Trushnikova. “The World of Crystal”
I showed this watercolor on the blog a year ago. You may remember the practice I suggested. There were a lot of comments that made me realize that people are now more sensitive in their perception. And what we call abstraction can give us all kinds of feelings and memories.
Unfortunately, with the change of site, the comments also disappeared. If you want, try this practice for yourself, write your impressions. It's here:
And we will return to the “white” and “black” pages of the catalog.
The white ones feature the best watercolors – the works of the semi-finalists. It was nice to see Konstantin Sterkhov, Evgeniy Kisnichan, and Ilya Ibryaev there.
And it was even more pleasant to see our compatriots Elena Bazanova and Dmitry Rodzin among the 23 finalists.
Elena Bazanova. “End of winter 2012. Apples”
Dmitry Rodzin. "Summer"
As you can see, Most of the finalists' works are very realistic.
Here, for example, is a watercolor by the Lithuanian artist Egle Lipeikaite:
Or the Frenchman Georges Artaud, he received a prize in the category “Best French Artist”:
Just a meditation on water... I like it. Anything is more pleasant than looking at the work of another finalist, American artist Andrew Kish III.
Watercolor - (from French aquarelle - water, from Latin aqua - water) paint for painting. It consists of finely ground pigment and easily water-soluble adhesives of plant origin - gum arabic and dextrin. Honey, sugar and glycerin retain moisture.
Watercolor is light, transparent, and at the same time complex. Does not tolerate correction. This paint has been known since ancient times. They were used in ancient Egypt, ancient China and in the countries of the ancient world. Watercolor needs special, porous paper. It was invented in China. The paint is easily absorbed into it. But the difficulty lies in transparency - you cannot cover one color with another - they will mix. It is impossible to correct the mistake, except perhaps to beat the spot that accidentally appeared. There are “wet brush” watercolors and “dry brush” watercolors. I love the first appointment. It is also called “a la prima”. It is lighter, more transparent.
In Europe, watercolor painting came into use later than other types of painting. One of the Renaissance artists who achieved great success in watercolor painting was Albrecht Dürer. An example of this is his work “The Hare”.
Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) Hare
Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) Primrose vulgaris, 1503. Washington, National Gallery of Art
In the 18th-19th centuries, thanks to Thomas Gurtin and Joseph Turner, watercolor became one of the the most important species English painting.
Thomas Girtin English artist(1775-1802) Ruins of Savoy Castle
Thomas Guertin - a young artist, died at the age of 27, but he is rightly called an outstanding artist. He very quickly developed his own style: sweeping aside some old canons, removing what was limited in the drawing, he began to refuse to develop the foreground, sought to capture open space, striving for panoramicness.
Turner. Kirkby Lonsdale church courtyard
The watercolorist also constantly improved his technique and studied the nature of the movement of water and air. By the beginning of the 19th century, in his watercolors he achieved the power and expressiveness usually inherent in oil painting. By discarding unnecessary detail, he created new type landscape through which the artist revealed his memories and experiences.
Innovations of Gurtin, who began to use watercolors for large-format paintings, and Turner, who significantly enriched the arsenal techniques watercolorist, brought to life the further rise of English watercolor in the work of landscape artists.
The English tradition of watercolor had a strong influence on Russian artists, especially those associated with the Imperial Academy of Arts, located in the capital of the empire - St. Petersburg.
The first name in the chronicle of Russian watercolors is Petr Fedorovich Sokolov.
He painted portraits of his contemporaries.
Watercolor painting in St. Petersburg and Russia reached an exceptional peak in last decades XIX and first two decades of the XX century. At a time when there were no photographs yet, the speed of execution, minimal amount tedious posing sessions, airiness of color - all this was needed Russian society. And therefore, it was watercolor that enjoyed success in the upper and middle layers.
Eduard Petrovich Gau. Gatchina Palace LOWER THRONE HALL. 1877
Such painters as Ilya Repin, Mikhail Vrubel, Valentin Serov, Ivan Bilibin brought their original tribute to the art of watercolor.
Vrubel
V. Serov Portrait of I. Repin
Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin (1876-1942). On the river bank. Pencil, watercolor
An important stage in the development of Russian watercolors was the organization in 1887 of the “Society of Russian Watercolorists,” which arose from a circle of watercolorists. Regular watercolor exhibitions and the creation of the “Society of Russian Watercolorists” (1887) contributed to the widespread dissemination of the technique and increased its status. The Society’s program did not have an ideological orientation; representatives of the Society coexisted peacefully among its members different directions united by a passion for the art of watercolor. A. N. Benois was elected its first chairman. The society was active in exhibition activities, holding in 1896-1918. thirty-eight exhibitions. Its members were A.K. Beggrov, Albert Benois, P.D. Buchkin, N.N. Karazin, M.P. Klodt, L.F. Logario, A.I. Meshchersky, E.D. Polenova, A. P. Sokolov, P. P. Sokolov and others.
ALEXANDER BEGGROV Galera. Tver. 1867.
The task of preserving and transmitting the traditions of the watercolor school early XIX century and preparing the ground for a new rise in watercolor, the “Society of Russian Watercolorists” undoubtedly accomplished. Watercolor again began to be perceived as independent, possessing own language region visual arts. Many members of the Society became teachers for the next generation of artists.
Watercolor painting also fascinated members of the World of Art association Alexander Benois (1870-1960), Lev Bakst (1866-1924), Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942), Konstantin Somov (1869-1939), Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva (1871-1955) ). Watercolors were owned by the poet Maximilian Voloshin (1877-1932), whose drawings overlapped with his poetic works.
Lev Samoilovich Bakst. Dancer from the ballet Firebird. 1910. Watercolor.
Ivan Bilibin
K. Somov. Bathers. 1904. Paper, watercolor.
Alexander Palace in Detskoye Selo (watercolor) P A Ostroymov-Lebedev
Voloshin
Among the largest watercolor masters of the 20th century are N. A. Tyrsa, S. V. Gerasimov, A. A. Deineka, S. E. Zakharov, M. A. Zubreeva, A. S. Vedernikov, G. S. Vereisky, P. D. Buchkin, V. M. Konashevich, N. F. Lapshin, V. V. Lebedev, G. K. Malysh, A. N. Samokhvalov, S. I. Pustovoitov, V. A. Vetrogonsky, V. S. Klimashin, V.K. Teterin, A.I. Fonvizin and others.
Tyrsa N.A. Portrait of Anna Akhmatova. 1928 Paper, black watercolor
A.A.Deineka
Watercolor is considered one of the most capricious and temperamental paints, despite its simplicity and transparency. Children begin to master drawing with watercolors, but how many people know how great the power of this harmless paint really is?
Brief history: the beginning of development
The best watercolor painters in the world were able to create their masterpieces thanks to China, where, after the invention of paper, which happened in the 2nd century AD. e., watercolor technique received the opportunity to develop.
In Europe, the first beginnings appeared in the countries of Italy and Spain, when paper products appeared there (XII-XIII centuries).
Watercolor art came into use later than other types of painting. One of the most famous firsts works considered exemplary was the painting “The Hare” by the world’s best watercolor painter of the Renaissance, Albrecht Dürer in 1502.
Then the artists Giovanni Castiglione and Anthony van Dyck began to study the watercolor technique, but examples of works in a similar technique continued to remain at a single level - a fact that Montaber confirmed in his treatise on painting. When mentioning watercolor, he did not go into detail, since he believed that this technique did not deserve serious professional attention.
However, watercolor technique became necessary in scientific and military research, when archaeologists and geologists needed to capture the objects they were studying (animals, plants, nature in general), as well as create topographical and architectural diagrams.
Let's rise
IN XVIII century, closer to the middle, watercolor technique became a pastime among amateur painters. This event was influenced by the published notes of Gilpin William Sowry, in which he described the provinces of England.
Also by this time, the fashion for portrait miniatures had spread, which amateur artists began to dare to study using watercolor techniques.
The best watercolorists of the world of the 18th and 19th centuries
The real flowering of watercolor, which turned it into the main and significant example of painting in England, occurred at the moment when two artists, Thomas Guertin and Joseph Turner, put their talented hands to this work.
In 1804, thanks to Turner, an organization called the Society of Watercolor Painters was created.
Early works Guertin's landscape illustrations were traditional in relation to the English school, but gradually he was able to develop a much broader and more ambitious romantic direction of landscape. Thomas began using watercolors for larger formats.
The second best watercolorist in the world, Joseph Turner, became the youngest artist to receive the status He was able to create his own and therefore the new kind landscape, with the help of which he had the opportunity to reveal his memories and feelings. Thus, Turner was able to enrich the armada watercolor techniques.
Joseph also owes his famous name to the writer John Ruskin, who, with the help of his writings, was able to declare Turner the most significant artist of his era.
Merit
The activities of the two geniuses described above influenced the vision of art of such figures as
- landscape painters David Cox and Richard Banington;
- the world's best watercolorist and architect, Samuel Prout;
- still life professionals Samuel Parter, William Hunt, Miles Foster, John Lewis and girl Lucy Madox, as well as many others.
Watercolor in the United States
The heyday of watercolor in America dates back to mid-19th century, when the best watercolorists in the world, such as Thomas Roman, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins and William Richards, were supporters of this type of painting.
- Thomas Roman's role was to help create Yellowstone national park. At Cook's suggestion, Thomas agreed to participate in the geological research work, traveling to the Yellowstone region. His drawings aroused great public interest, which resulted in the region being included in the list national treasures parks
- Winslow Homer was one of the founders of American realism painting. Managed to create my own art school. According to most experts, he was one of the best landscape watercolor painters in the world, who influenced the further (20th century) development of American painting.
- Thomas Eakins was also involved in the emergence of realism in painting along with the master Homer mentioned above. The artist was fascinated by the mechanism of the human body, which is why the theme of naked and semi-nude figures occupied Eakins’s work. leading place. His works often depicted athletes, and even more precisely, rowers and wrestlers.
- William Richards' skill was expressed in a fairly accurate resemblance of the works to the photographs. He gained fame as a watercolor mountain landscape painter, and subsequently as a master of water paintings.
The best watercolorists of the world in France
The spread of watercolor art in France is associated with such names as Eugene Delacroix, Paul Delaroche, Henri Arpinier and the professional art satire Honore Daumier.
1. Eugene Delacroix is the head of the romanticism movement in European painting. He was elected to the Paris city council and awarded an honorary order. The first work to make his name known was the painting “Massacre at Chios,” depicting the horrors of the Greek War of Independence. Naturalism reached such mastery that critics accused his technique of even being overly natural.
2. Paul Delaroche is a painter who is a representative and member of the academic movement. At the age of 36 he was elected to the post of professor teaching at the school fine arts city of Paris. The large-scale work of his entire life is the work “Semicircle”, which included 75 brilliant artists past tense.
3. Henri Arpinier is considered one of the best watercolor painters of landscapes in France at that time. In addition to depicting nature, he worked in a portrait style. In his work you can often see drawings by children.
4. Honore Daumier was not only an artist, but also a graphic artist, sculptor, and caricature specialist. Once, for his work in “Gargantua,” the activist was sent to serve a prison sentence. He became famous for his cartoons on political, social and personal topics, depicting successful people in France of his time.
Watercolor masters in Russia
The founder and discoverer of Russian watercolor is considered to be Pyotr Fedorovich Sokolov, one of the best watercolor artists in the world. He was the progenitor of the domestic watercolor portrait, and was also one of the academicians Imperial Academy Arts in St. Petersburg.
The blood brothers of the Bryullov family were also famous for their talent. Karl was a watercolorist, representing the movements of classicism and romanticism, and his older brother Alexander was not only an artist, but also an architect, who owned many St. Petersburg projects.
In 1887, the World of Art organization was formed, consisting of Ivan Bilibin and artist Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva.
In the same year, the association “Society of Russian Watercolor Painters” began to operate, the first chairman of which was the above-mentioned Alexander Benois.
In the 20th century, the range of domestic artists expanded. Some of the best watercolor painters in the world from Russia are:
- Gerasimov Sergey;
- Zakharov Sergey;
- Tyrsa Nikolay;
- Vedernikov Alexander;
- Vereisky Georgy;
- Teterin Victor;
- Zubreeva Maria and many other talented figures.
Present tense
Nowadays, the watercolor technique has not lost its significance and its capabilities continue to be revealed by more and more new faces. Above the capriciousness and complex paint There are many figures working, below is a list of just some of the best watercolor artists of our time.
1. Thomas Schaller is an artist and architect from America. Regarding watercolors, he admitted that he was in love with it for its ability to express the unique voice of the artist. The thematic preferences of the best watercolorist in the world include architecture (city landscape) and, of course, images of nature.
2. Thierry Duval is an Italian watercolorist who has his own paint application technique, which allows him to depict details and the picture as a whole incredibly realistically.
3. Stanislav Zoladz - Polish artist, specializing in hyperrealism. The work is interesting because the author excludes the presence of a person and only details (boats, houses on the horizon or abandoned buildings) remind of his existence.
4. Arush Votsmush is a domestic watercolorist from Sevastopol. He calls his work “the pure drug of creativity.”
5. Anna Armona is an artist from Ukraine. Her work is very bold, as she is a lover of colors and uses them very expressively.
6. Pawel Dmoch is another watercolor artist from Poland. Depicts a real cityscape, integrating shadows and light with interiors, exteriors and architecture.
7. Joseph Zbukvic is a famous Australian artist. He compares his favorite paint to a wild horse, which will never be completely curbed. Closer to his heart are the themes of the sea, as well as the opposite - the city landscape.
Below is a photo of the world's best watercolorist with his work.
Imagine: he was able to create one of his incredible works using just one paint - instant coffee.
8. Mary White is an American artist who is one of the best portrait watercolorists in the world. Her paintings depict a variety of personalities: the elderly, children, African Americans, women, workers and others.
A cure for those who are tired of trash and fuss. In a world where tons of information garbage fall on us every day, sometimes you really want to give up everything, take a deep breath and fix your gaze on something calm, not causing any irritation or discomfort. We believe that best vacation for the mind and vision it is an immersion in the world of art. In this review, we have collected works by watercolor artists that will fill you with silence and become a sip. fresh air on a hot city day.
Travel to Paris with Thierry Duval
Paris-born artist Thierry Duval has traveled extensively. Hence the presence of entire series of paintings “based on geography.” Nevertheless, Paris was and remains the author’s favorite place. The lion's share of works is dedicated specifically to the city of lovers. Duval paints exclusively in watercolors. At the same time, he has his own technique of multi-layer paint application, which allows him to create paintings with almost hyper-realistic detail. Hot Afternoon Kanta Harusaki
Kanta Harusaki is a Japanese watercolorist, born in Kumamoto, who began working in watercolors at the age of 32. Harusaki likes to write using a wet brush, but keeping the drawing straight. He knows how to skillfully and reliably convey the most transparent light color, as well as light and space. Viewers admire the artist’s ability to convey clear contours of highlights and foliage, combining this with the “wet” technique. Living Water by David Drummond
David Drummond - American artist, fell in love with the landscape of Powell Reservoir 20 years ago. Now he never tires of exploring every corner of this amazing place and capturing it with watercolors. Drummond is interested in different states of water, the “mood” of nature and changes in it. As the holder of a degree in physics, Drummond approaches creativity with all scientific responsibility, which is why his watercolors seem so alive and realistic. Country morning by Christian Granju
Frenchman Christian Graniou often depicts provincial landscapes in his paintings. Despite the fact that the detailed drawing does not attract him, and the light is distributed throughout the entire space, the artist’s works evoke a feeling of spaciousness and airiness. Evening Calm by Joseph Zbukvic
Today, Croatian-born Australian Joseph Zbukvic is considered one of the pillars of watercolor painting throughout the world. The artist fell in love with watercolor literally from the first stroke; he was struck by the untamed nature and individuality of this technique. He thinks she lives own life. It cannot be studied, there is no way to control the behavior of watercolor. Just ride around like a wild horse. And every day again.