Watercolor Paintings – Why You Should Try It

Paintings add up to the beauty of homes, offices, and business establishments. If you have the skill to paint, you should try to develop it. Learn more about painting by enrolling in painting classes or you can research about it online. Whether you're an adult, teenager, or a kid, learning how to paint is not that difficult especially if you put your heart into it. While you're trying to find a media to use, perhaps you might want to try watercolor paintings.

You can express your chosen subject matter through the use of watercolors. In fact, there are many advantages in using this media over other types of media. It is also a beautiful way to convey your feelings through your painting.

Here are some of the best reasons why you should try watercolor painting.


1. It is easy – as compared to other types of painting, watercolor painting is really easy and you can expect better results in a very short time.

2. Fast – there are certain techniques that you should learn in watercolor painting.  Once you learn such techniques, you can do quick washes and spontaneous strokes. This is the beauty of watercolor painting and you can finish your piece in less than an hour and the greatest thing is that you will get satisfying results.

3. Great for people who are always on the go – if you travel often, carrying watercolor kits is not a problem. The kits are lightweight and come with compact boxes that you can carry around with ease. The paper used in watercolor painting can be purchased in blocks so you don’t need a lot of space. Preparing the papers needed is also not required.

4. Does not smudge – as compared to charcoal and pastel, watercolor painting doesn’t smudge.

5. Dries quickly – in several minutes, your art piece is already dry. But if you use oil paints for your painting, it would take days or even weeks before the piece dries up completely.

6. Watercolor is also a fluid – because of its nature, with only a few strokes, you can already fill large areas.

7. 'Accidents' can contribute to your creativity – you don’t have to worry about accidents during watercolor painting because it can magically develop into something beautiful. You can even pour the watercolor on the paper as you start your painting and see what designs it can create.

8. Watercolor painting is versatile in look and style – you can do illustrational works as well as abstract arts. You can experiment in some designs that you haven't done before and it will all depend on your skill and creativity.

Experts say that using watercolor is hard because the artist or painter can't control it easily. For beginners, here’s a good advice – let the watercolor's magic work. Don’t interfere at first and see the designs it can create and start painting from there. Allow endless explorations and you can surely enjoy your creativity for the rest of your life.

As an art lover, you already know that sometimes beautiful paintings come as accidents. But this should not be the reason to stop practicing. If you frequently practice, in time, you will be able to control your strokes and create more artistic and unique watercolor paintings. Never stop learning because by doing so, you can develop more interesting and artistic ideas that you can use in your paintings.

Top Four Tips On Collecting Art

Art collection can be a favorable hobby, past-time, or even investment. If you are new to this kind of activity, you can be overwhelmed with the vast number of approaches that you can choose from. So, to make things easier for you, here are some of the best tips you can get in regards to collecting art.

Buy Because Of What?

First off, you should understand that you should buy an artwork because you like it. Yes, it’s just that simple. Although it may be common sense, a lot of people still overlook this important idea. Some buy pieces because other people told them so, or because they saw others buying something similar. If you find a piece that moves you, and you think can enhance your life, then buy it! You do not have to wait for the approval of others to do so since the whole decision is yours.

What use is the beauty of an artwork that you bought, if personally, you don’t appreciate it or find it disgusting, even? Remember, in collecting art, there is nothing more self-gratifying than seeing a piece that communicates with you and moves your soul, most especially if it’s a piece that remains fresh and exciting for you even though you've seen it for hundreds of times. Goes Gallery Hopping!

Another good thing to do when you’re starting a collection is to go gallery hopping. Try to go to as many art galleries that you can visit. Galleries’ staff guides can be helpful to you and can add up to your art education. Going to galleries can also be one good way of being exposed to different kinds of art, whether it is a gallery on paintings, sculptures or prints.

Galleries provide you with the real thing. Thus, you can examine more of the details of different works of art. Most of the time, galleries showcase some prestigious collections too. Viewing such, can yet be another way of seeing the collections of other people and generating ideas for your own collection. Get Connected

Most galleries also have a mailing list that regularly update you on their latest happenings and events. Being connected and up to date with what’s happening is another way to help you start with your collection. Sometimes, if there are openings or special events that these galleries hold, they can invite you to go.

Once you are invited, try your best to attend such events so that you can be more exposed to the industry. Additionally, events like these can bring you opportunity to know more people within the industry, and find more good deals around.

Go Local

If there are not much of art galleries in your place, then you can still go local! Try visiting and joining local art museums or non-profit art centers. You may be surprised to see how local talents in your area create masterpieces that seem priceless, yet you can buy at a cheap price. Since probably most of them are still budding artists, then you’ll probably spot some good deals around in which the beauty of the piece remains unaltered.

Also, the curators of such places sometimes provide lectures for those who are interested in collecting art. Some lectures may have a very cheap fee, while some can come for free, especially if there are big companies sponsoring the event.

Art Collecting: A Beginners Guide

Art collection is a very stimulating and inspiring hobby for all. It isn’t just for the rich and famous, but even regular everyday people too. There are various forms of art that you can choose from, especially since art’s definition can greatly vary from one person to another. However, it doesn't really matter whatever its form is, you’re the one to make the call on which is attractive and how much are you willing to spend for such piece.

To Go For Prints Or Originals?

In the art world, some people may look down on others due to their different tastes in picking out art. For instance, there are those people who only buy original works and would never even consider buying prints. However, you should take note that if you’re just starting to collect art and is doing this for enjoyment then originals are not really necessary to buy, especially if they’re way out of your budget.

There is really nothing wrong with buying prints. In fact, these are one superb way to have framed art that would look lovely on your wall, just like how an original would look, but at a way lower price. Although here, you would not be having the same texture as to the original work; since originals usually show dimension and texture, while prints won't. However, well-printed artworks are not settling of course.
In fact, a lot of art collectors have art prints by different artists, which were fairly bought inexpensively from the Internet, galleries and art fairs. Amazingly, such pieces still look tasteful and classy, instead of cheap looking like what most people expect.

All Framed Up

Once you spot an original or print that you like, you have the option to frame it by yourself or get somebody else to do it for you. Generally, you can find frames in a vast price range, starting from cheaper metal frames to ornate and hand-carved wooden frames costing you a fortune.
With regard to using mats, which is another way of framing your picture inside its frame by the use of papers or illustration boards, you should take note that such could detract your print. If you don't know how to frame, then you should get your piece and get it framed first. While doing so, observe how they’d offer you different mats and frame styles.

You don’t have to hasten up when picking out the mat you want to use. In fact, you should take your time and deliberate on it carefully, since the mat and frame color combinations can have a great effect on how well or bad your artwork would look. You should also consider how the frame would fit-in in whatever place you’ll put it, like your home or your office.

If you want a clean and contemporary look, it’s recommended that you use the Nielsen brushed metal frames, which are not only cheap but are still elegant looking too. These usually come in different colors. Nevertheless, it’s safe to go for black or bronze.

If you’ll be placing them in a gallery, bronze would also do well, especially since it wouldn’t cost you too much. After all, most people that buy art from galleries would have the art they bought re-framed in able for it to match their home decor.

If more of a wood type of person, you can also get wooden frames that are naturally stained. Cherry and mahogany are the most preferred styles when it comes to wooden frames since their deep and reddish color bring an elegant look to any artwork.