National Water Colour Month
For National Water Colour Month, we asked our team member and freelance writer Sammie Scott to talk about it in her own words….
National Watercolour Month celebrates the bright and vibrant art of watercolours throughout the month of July. Watercolour painting has a long history going back centuries. The earliest examples having been found on prehistoric cave walls. As we know, creative expression is an integral part of humanity and evidence suggests that humans have been using symbols to express meaning long before using words. Art is a universal language. It’s known for bringing people together, inspiring us and giving us an emotional outlet during difficult times. Whatever language you speak or where you come from, art can speak to you. As an artist myself, I will always encourage anyone to use watercolour. Any medium that allows for creative expression can work wonders for our mental wellbeing. This global movement celebrates the simplicity, versatility and beauty of watercolour. Whether you’re a professional or a beginner, watercolour paint offers something for everyone.
The beauty of watercolour lies in its simplicity. The powdered paint pigment is activated by water and can create some beautiful shades. To add more depth to the colour all you must do is add more pigment/powder. To create a light wash of colour, you just add more water. World watercolour month encourages artists to create regularly throughout the month of July. This helps to build confidence, develop skills and create wonderful artwork. Painting every day, even for just a short period of time, can unlock new ideas and improve technique. Artists from every corner of the world use this month to share their ideas and work with the world. Social media has turned what can be a solitary activity into a great community and many artists are now using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share their work. My favourite form of expression is in abstraction. While I can appreciate realism, I find art is a way for my brain to let go of control and enjoy playing with paint and watching it dry.
Charlie O’Shields the creator of Doodlewash and host of the Sketching Stuff podcast, founded World Watercolour month in 2016. He created a blog and social artist movement dedicated to promoting the use of watercolours around the world. Watercolour is a brilliant medium because it allows the artist to work with the flow of the water rather than against it. The balance between control and chance creates some interesting results. For most, watercolour becomes a form of mindfulness. Watching the pigments slowly blend with the water to create a wash of colour helps the brain to slow down in a busy and sometimes overstimulating world.
This movement is a great opportunity to support artists and the arts. This could be by attending a workshop, purchasing an original painting, sharing an artist’s work online or encouraging someone to try something new. Every little bit of support helps keeps the artistic community thriving and reminds artists that their work has value and resonates with others. A simple follow, like or share can also help an artist to have a wider reach and increase their online presence. Even if you aren’t an artist yourself, you can take this month as a chance to experiment with artistic expression. Currently, watercolours also exist in the form of pens as well as palettes. This makes them quick and easy to use and makes storage easier. Watercolours are also often used in schools for their cheaper cost and simplicity. We all have busy lives but it’s so important to take some time for yourself each day. Personally, painting gives me the chance to remove myself from ‘doomscrolling’ and is my great escape. There are many adult doodle books that can be purchased online, and they provide outlines if you find it challenging to think of designs immediately.
One of the greats, JMW Turner, earned the title ‘the painter of light’ due to his revolutionary mastery of brilliants, colour and atmosphere through using watercolours. In Wiltshire, we are fortunate to have a real one of his paintings and a visit to see it could inspire you to create your own. Another personal favourite of mine is Claude Monet and his use of paints to capture the transience of light. His landscapes are some of the most beautiful paintings in existence and some can be seen at Tate Modern in London.
The good news is you don’t need expensive materials to take part in world watercolour month. Many artists will talk of the importance in using great quality paints, but if you’re creating as a hobby then bargains can be found almost anywhere. The most important thing is to experiment, relax and have fun!