Harnessing a Mercurial Medium
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| The limbs of each figure is achieved with a quick stroke in this watercolor sketch by Wendy Artin. |
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When I think of gesture drawings or quick studies, I see myself with a pencil in hand—that's always just made sense for those kinds of spirited, nimble sessions. Looking at Wendy Artin's stunning watercolor painting sketches, however, has shown me new possibilities for how to paint a figure in a few minutes and with just a few strokes.
As I'll tell anyone, I really began to realize what watercolor could do as a medium when I came to Artist Daily. But until now I hadn't really seen an artist who translated the fluidity of the human body with watercolor. Watercolor can have a mind of its own and painting the human form is one of the toughest skills for an artist to master. But Artin makes it look effortless. With just a stroke or a pool of slightly-tinted paint she creates a limb, a belly, or an entire body. The works are simple but sophisticated, and, I think, really show what watercolor can do.
Artin usually starts a watercolor painting by working outward, fixing an arm or a head in place, and going from there, all the while keeping her eye moving around the whole figure in order to compare proportions. She is also very careful when blending any edges that she wants to soften. Artin likes to work wet-in-wet, but waiting until a painting has sufficiently dried is crucial for pulling edges back, so she always keeps a paper towel for blotting ready.
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| Marzia Reaching by Wendy Artin, 2010, watercolor. |
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Artin's expressive interest in the human form is a perfect match for the expressive possibilities of watercolor. For more inspiring artists and their watercolor painting techniques, grab the latest issue of Watercolor Artist magazine. The magazine is a gateway to understanding this mercurial, ever-changing medium. It's also packed with step-by-step demonstrations that show how top artists create abstract and realistic watercolor art. How can you not embrace this kind of resource? I know I have! Enjoy,
I carry a “sketchbook” at all times in my purse. It’s a coupon caddy full of 4×6″ index cards, a pocket watercolor box, and a 35mm (Fuji type) can of water. Haven’t tried making human studies yet, but I did sketch ducks in the water a few times.
I carry a “sketchbook” at all times in my purse. It’s a coupon caddy full of 4×6″ index cards, a pocket watercolor box, and a 35mm (Fuji type) can of water. Haven’t tried making human studies yet, but I did sketch ducks in the water a few times.
I carry a “sketchbook” at all times in my purse. It’s a coupon caddy full of 4×6″ index cards, a pocket watercolor box, and a 35mm (Fuji type) can of water. Haven’t tried making human studies yet, but I did sketch ducks in the water a few times.
I carry a “sketchbook” at all times in my purse. It’s a coupon caddy full of 4×6″ index cards, a pocket watercolor box, and a 35mm (Fuji type) can of water. Haven’t tried making human studies yet, but I did sketch ducks in the water a few times.