About Watercolour

Watercolour is one of the most loved mediums and also one of the most challenging to work in. What makes watercolour painting unique is that in the traditional style of painting white paint is not used. The white of the paper is reserved for all whites. Water is used with transparent paint to create luminous paintings as the white of the paper reflects the natural light. The use of water allows the paints to intermingle on the paper in unique ways, thus giving watercolour paintings a distinctive quality.

Watercolour painting is challenging because it takes great skill to control both the water and the paint, to understand the unique qualities of different paints and paper absorbencies, and to learn the timing of different applications of paint. There is little room for error in watercolour as corrections may affect the many layers of transparent paint and luminosity can be lost. Once the white is gone, there is no getting it back.

In traditional oil and acrylic painting the artist works from dark to light; layering a lighter colour on top of a darker colour. The paint is generally opaque. In watercolour painting the artist works from light to dark, often using negative painting to define lighter positive shapes. The layering of transparent colours gives the effect much like a stain glass window reflecting light from behind it.

Care For Your Painting

All Debbie's watercolour paintings are painted on artist quality watercolour paper with artist quality paint. Your painting should outlast you if properly cared for.

All paintings have been framed with an acid free backing so as to not discolor the painting. If you are framing your own painting please ensure that you use an acid free backing, and preferably acid free matting. Watercolour paintings should be framed behind glass. Avoid non-reflective glass as it dulls the painting's colours.

In more humid climates the painting should be propped away from the wall with furniture tabs to allow for circulation of air.

Your work of art should not be placed in direct sunlight as colors may fade. Paint light- fastness has improved incredibly over the years but certain colors will tend to fade if under direct lighting.

If cared for properly your watercolour painting can be handed down to the next generation.