watercolor

Watercolor is a painting medium in which pigments are suspended in a water-soluble binder, most commonly gum arabic. The technique relies on the transparency of pigments and the white of the paper to create luminosity. Colors are typically applied in translucent washes, with multiple layers building depth.

Materials include pigments in tubes or pans, the water-soluble binder gum arabic, and water as solvent. Supports are papers designed for watercolor—often cotton rag—graded by weight and texture; common textures include hot-press (smooth), cold-press (a balance of texture and smoothness), and rough. Quality brushes made from natural or synthetic hair, along with masking fluid and palettes, are commonly used.

Techniques include washes (flat and graded), glazing, wet-on-wet, and dry brushing; lifting moisture to create highlights; masking to preserve white areas. The transparent nature of the medium means artists work in stages, often building luminous color through successive layers.

History: Watercolor drawing and painting have roots in East Asian ink wash traditions and in European practice from the 16th through the 18th centuries. The medium matured in England during the 18th and 19th centuries, with artists such as Turner, Girtin, and Constable developing a distinct watercolor idiom. In the modern era, watercolor remains popular worldwide, used by beginners and professionals across a range of genres.

In contemporary use, watercolor is valued for speed, portability, and luminous results, but its transparency and emphasis on layering can pose challenges for opaque corrections and precise white areas. Pigment lightfastness and paper quality are important for long-term permanence.