Using “Water colour” (Pros and cons)

There are quite advantages to using water colour although many beginners don’t like it. I admit that when I started painting it’s not my favourite either but after trying it and watching a gazillion of “water colour” video tutorials, I changed my mind. There are benefits to using “water colour” and here are some I can think of:

Water colour on paper - Theresa Painter - Heritage Hill Open Art 

1.     It’s reusable. Left over paint on your palette can be reused just by adding or brushing water on the dried pigment and you can use it again so in effect, it’s economical.

2.     You can create beautiful loose water colour painting just by wetting your paper and dabbing it lightly with colour from your brush and watch it spread and create incredible effects.

3.     You can use water colour with “water colour” pencil, gouache, acrylic and ink

4.     Water colour brushes are easy to clean.

5.     You don’t need to buy any solvent to dilute, just water

6.     It’s good for washes and background painting

You can choose between water colour in tubes, water colour cakes or blocks, water soluble water colour pencil and water colour brush pens. I like using the cakes myself, but I have tubes and brush pens as well.

 

Of course, there’s also a downside to using this medium:

1.     Water colour is light and transparent

2.     You cannot do layers with it. As soon as you apply another colour on top of it, it will likely blend with the colour underneath or wash

3.     You need a sturdy paper with it. Preferably 300 gsm or above or else the paper buckles.

4.     Water colour is mainly used with paper not canvas or fabric

I use a lot of water colour on my cards. I find them easier to work with than acrylic.