The Wonders of Watercolour

Watercolour is wonderful. Not only is it highly accessible for all ages and abilities, but it’s transportable too. I have used this as a roving art teacher, in workshops and even taken them on bushwalks in my day pack. Watercolour would have to make it into my top three of favourite art materials.

There is a calm that comes over people, big and small, as they paint with watercolours. Watercolour is low mess and low risk. You’re not wasting expensive canvas or tubed paints, you can paint on simple paper and have it look effective, all adding to its accessibility.

You can up the game by adding a wax crayon or oil pastel resist or go for more detail by adding a pre or post sketch in pencil or black fine liner. You can use it for background washes or layer and blend it for more sophisticated work.

You can use it to explore colour tints and tones like in water, landscapes, and flowers. Or they are just as fun for more abstract work. Add more water for a flowing lighter shade and less for a darker thicker application. Like in these watercolour flowers:

I keep reaching for it again and again as it doesn’t require a big set-up or clean up. Just add a water pot and wash your brush afterwards, it’s quick drying enough, especially in warm weather, that you can work in a sketchbook. If you’re on the go or travelling all you need is access to a little water, even a donation from your water bottle, a café, tap or water way such as a river. This is me in Central Australia a couple of years ago as I stopped for a creative moment on a bushwalk break.

I like to travel with my Micador lidded watercolour set with a small brush or two stored in it. It has lots of colours but is flat and sits easily in the padded laptop section of my daypack. If I add a grey lead pencil and black fine liner pen, then my artistic options increase. I also find I reach for these paints more often at home for a quick creative moment without the hassle of a big set-up as I am usually getting creative on the communal family dining table, without the luxury of my very own art studio.