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“North Woods No. 1” , Watercolor, 15” X 11”
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“Between The Shadows and The Light No. 2”, Watercolor, 15” X 22”
12 April 2025
Today we are looking at a truly important aspect of making strong watercolor paintings—the five pillars of watercolor. Why are these important? Watercolor painting is an expressive and nuanced medium that captures the interplay of color, light, and texture like no other. Regardless of subject, style and technique, five essential pillars—color, light, shapes, edges, and values—serve as the foundation for creating impactful and successful watercolor paintings. Understanding and mastering these elements is essential for captivating and harmonious artworks that tell a story and evoke emotion—goals for every serious painter!
Color in watercolor is more than just a hue: it’s a powerful tool for conveying emotion, atmosphere and visual interest. It is the heartbeat of any watercolor piece. The chosen palette colors set the tone for the entire painting, influencing mood, atmosphere and emotional resonance. Effective use of color can transform a painting into a powerful sensory experience, whether it’s the serene blues of a seascape or the fiery oranges of a sunset.
Light is the essence, and perhaps most critical element of watercolor, bringing life to the painting. Light can be used to create contrast, depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer’s eye into and through a painting. Understanding light, shade and shadow is crucial since they can make or break a painting.
Shapes are the foundation of visual representation and composition in watercolor painting. The shapes, and negative spaces around them, determine the overall composition of a painting. Negative space can be as important as the subject itself in defining its form.
Edges are the critical boundaries that define shapes and forms, and create differing visual effects and expressive qualities. Hard edges define clear boundaries and sharp contrast. Soft edges suggest atmosphere, movement and nuance. Lost and found edges can create a sense of depth and guide the viewer’s eye. Edges are powerful tools for storytelling and key for atmosphere and expressive qualities.
Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or passage. Creating a range of values is essential for adding depth, dimension, and interest to a painting. Partnering together with color, value and color establish contrast and enhance visual storytelling.
Color, light, shapes, edges and values are not isolated elements in watercolor painting but rather a cohesive framework for creating paintings that are technically adept and emotionally compelling.
So, let’s talk! When you look at paintings and make paintings do you consciously seek these five pillars? How do they help you to better understand and make paintings? Contact me to discuss more.
Contact Virgil to inquire.
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“You Must Go Left or Right” , Watercolor, 30” X 11”