Watercolor painting

Watercolor is a painting technique using paint made of colorants suspended or dissolved in water. Although the grounds used in watercolor painting vary, the most common is paper. Others include papyrus, bark papers, plastics, leather, fabric, wood, and canvas.

History of watercolor painting

Watercolor painting began with the invention of paper in China shortly after 100 AD. In the 12th century the conquering Moors introduced papermaking to Spain and the technology spread to Italy decades later. Some of the oldest paper manufactures include Fabriano, Italy, opened in 1276, and Arches, France, opened in 1492.

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Paper - China - 100 AD - 12th century - Moors - Spain - Italy - Fabriano - 1276 - 1492

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The forerunner of watercolor painting in Europe was buon fresco painting — wall-painting using pigments in a water medium on wet plaster. One well-known example of buon fresco is the Sistine Chapel, begun in 1508 and completed in 1514.

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Buon fresco painting - Plaster - Sistine Chapel - 1508 - 1514

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The earliest known use of European watercolor painting is by Italian Renaissance painter Raffaello Santi (1483-1520), who painted full-scale cartoons as precursors for tapestry designs.

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Italian - Renaissance - Raffaello Santi - 1483 - 1520

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In Germany, Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) painted watercolors in the 15th century. The first school of watercolor painting in Europe was led by Hans Bol (1534-1593) and was much influenced by Dürer's creations.

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Germany - Albrecht Dürer - 1471 - 1528 - 15th century - Hans Bol - 1534 - 1593

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Other famous artists have used watercolor painting to supplement their work with oil paint, including van Dyck (1599-1641), Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788), and John Constable (1776-1837).

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Oil paint - Van Dyck - 1599 - 1641 - Thomas Gainsborough - 1727 - 1788 - John Constable - 1776 - 1837

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In 18th century Britain, Paul Sandby (1725–1809) was called the father of British watercolor.

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18th century - Britain - Paul Sandby - 1725 - 1809

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