Watercolors

Monique Stephen asked:


If you wish to decorate your blank wall with a beautiful image, an abstract giclee canvas print is the best option. Abstract giclee canvas printing is the process of producing a close duplication of an original artwork. Giclee is a French word which means- ‘spray of liquid.’ Abstract canvas printing is a high quality printing process on to canvas. The advantage of abstract giclee printing is its durability.

An abstract giclee print is coated with a degree of proofing against water and UV damage. The abstract canvas printing method combines the use of professional grade large format printers and archival pigment inks, acid free watercolor papers and canvas. An abstract giclee canvas print is ideal as a gift item. The printing is done on high resolution large format digital inkjet printers using fade resistant inks and dyes. The finished prints will be as elegant as the original.  

The images in abstract giclee prints will have all the tonalities and hues of the original work. There will be no visible dot screen patterns. There are two main criteria for giclee that helps to guarantee long lasting archival quality prints. The first criterion is that the printing must be done using pigmented inks, not dye inks used in a number of inkjet printers. The second criterion is that the media printed on should ideally be a 100% cotton rag paper, cotton canvas or fine-art watercolor paper or art paper.

Abstract giclee canvas printing gives emphasis to versatility. These prints are acid free, use pigmented ink and are highly durable, thereby extending the life of the canvas prints. There is no doubt that abstract giclee printing is the foremost option for customers who are looking for better-quality fine art prints at a very reasonable cost.



KERMIT

skylark042000 asked:


Is she still painting? In my opinion watercolor was worldclass.

MAURICE

Nathaniel C. asked:


What specific characteristics make either oil or watercolor more appealing than the other?

DAMIAN

DiscoveredArtists.com Media Relations asked:


t

Lovely Buds Most Popular Choice of Artists, Fine Art Photographers

Art gallery marketplace www.DiscoveredArtists.com reports that portraits of flowers are second only to landscapes in popularity among artists and art buyers.

Floral and botanical artworks range in style from anatomically correct fine art photos of wide open blooms, to wild abstract and surreal art composed of smatterings of color suggestive of buds, leaves and stems.  Media formats also are widely varied.  Art gallery images of flowers and plants range from fine art photographs to hand painted watercolors and oils, and even to dried flowers that are pasted into montages and collages.

But, three main categories of floral art are most popular with artists and art buyers. They include fine art photographs, traditional oil paintings, and classic watercolors.

Fine art photos typically are photographed at high resolution in extreme close-ups.  Artists use special, macro lenses to magnify and capture the tiny details of a flower’s anatomy and hold it in sharp focus.  Capturing a drop of moisture on a petal, a spec of pollen on the stamen, or a flower’s delicate filaments in exactly the right light is what creates a magnificent artwork prized by the artist and by the art buyer.

When professionally enlarged for use as wall art these photographs can be striking, and are especially popular with interior designers, collectors, and of course, flower gardeners.  Limited editions of these artworks signed and numbered by the artist heighten the value and the excitement in owning them.

But, floral artworks that are printed on stretched, wrapped canvas are quickly becoming the most popular format of home decorators.  This format combines the look of a traditional oil painting with the impact of a fine art photo, and is especially effective for showcasing floral art.  The method called Giclee processing preserves the color and detail so important to the artist and the art collector.



Study in Blue by fine art photographer Kevyn Moss is a triptych on canvas.  The digitally enhanced photograph depicts different personalities of the same flower type with a variety of fascinating shapes and textures. The subject of the photograph is a blue waterlily of the family Nymphaea.  The three separate artworks measure 14″ x 37″ when hung as shown.  As an example, a floral artwork on canvas like Study in Blue will sell for around $250.  Fine art prints on paper typically sell for under $50.

While fine art prints effectively capture nature’s intricate details, traditional oil paintings are a close second in showcasing the color and texture of florals and botannicals.  Hand applied brush strokes that create lifelike, colorful copies of complicated blooms continue to challenge artists and to please art buyers.

Much study goes into learning how to paint a flower.  Each bloom is unique, made up of a number of different complex parts, soft, rounded shapes and subtle shades of color.  The learning process prompts many artists to paint series of the same type of bloom in the same position and light over and over again.  Each painting in a series becomes more accurate and more striking as the artist perfects his technique.



Praise by fine artist Stephen Hackley is a beautiful bright gerber daisy, painted with a view of a flower we don’t normally see.  The oil on canvas is an oversized 60″ x 48″ of the bloom which in the words of the artist “has her petals outstretched, acknowledging life and singing out to whoever will hear.”

On a different level in intensity than oil paintings like Praise, watercolors can be the most abstract of popular types of floral art.  Watercolor artists typically paint in an impressionist style where details are less important than the impression or the idea of the artwork.

Watercolor paint and the process lends itself to blurred lines and muted colors, and is especially apropriate for painting natural subjects.  Its delicate transparancy is well suited to images of equally delicate, transparant petals and leaves.  But, when combined with pen and ink a watercolor can show as much or more detail as an oil painting.  Illustrators who use watercolor to enhance pen and ink drawings of botannicals create highly prized, collectible artworks by integrating impressionism with technical drawing.



Grace is a 16.5″ x 22.5″ fine art watercolor by artist Patrice Dobyn.  The painting won third place in a juried competition for its color and composition.  The artist’s works sell in the range of $300 to $400 for an original watercolor like Grace, which is hand painted on acid free paper.

With lovely artworks like Grace and a passion to recreate the color and shapes of natural flowers it’s clear that floral art will continue to be most popular with artists and with art buyers.  The varied shapes, vibrant colors and uniqueness of each bloom offer a wonderful challenge to artists.  And, for art buyers, owning or collecting floral art creates a year round bouquet that never fades or wilts.  A floral art gallery is always in bloom and never, ever needs watering.



About DiscoveredArtists.com

www.DiscoveredArtists.com is a marketplace for buying and selling original and limited edition artworks.  Independent artists sell directly to the general public.  Prices are set by the artists and artwork is shipped from the artist’s studio.   All major credit cards are accepted.  Artwork may be purchased online and is backed by a satisfaction guarantee of a full refund plus return shipping expense.



THADDEUS

“Corey” asked:


I am trying to print digital photography onto watercolor paper. Any suggestions?

GREGORY

Rosalina asked:


I’ve recently started using watercolor in some of my portraits. I’m having a little trouble with laying background color washes though. Most of the examples I’ve seen have been exceptionally consistent and even. Mine always have streaks. Do I need a larger brush? Should I dilute my paint more before I apply it? Can the paper used affect the evenness of a wash? I’ve been using a 1/2 flat brush. When I get a larger one, what size and shape would be good?

DANNY

me asked:


Can I use a watercolor brush with oil paints or vice-versa?

ASHLEY

vijay asked:


All mediums carry their own exclusive characteristics. It is really difficult to state that one medium is superior to another one. Basically it is resolute by the artists to make use of its exclusive properties and apply the medium that is most excellent suited for him. Now we would take a look at some of the features of the chief three mediums.

1) Oils – Oils appeals to be the mother of all painting mediums. Once your painting is executed on the wall it shows enough texture to confirm that it is an original. The situation of paint and the color also is precisely the same when being applied than when it dries. Therefore, the artists can be evaluating perfectly with the outcome of painting.

2) Watercolor – This is known as lucid (transparent) medium as white is no where added to the body. The pigments are quite thin and transparent. Watercolors normally have a brilliancy that surpasses solid mediums. Unfortunately, in this medium some properties are not simple to handle and meaning of edges are as well not simple to manage when working on wet paper. Another most significant thing is some people do not appreciate it to be framed behind glass. It doesn’t display that the painting is a real one and frequently been mistaken for a print.

3) Acrylics - These act pretty much the same as oils apart from that it doesn’t need toxic solvents. However, it is still an actual messy sort of medium. One of the setbacks that are a main issue is the fact that it dries too quick thus making it hard to blend, giving an in general hard edged look.

Hints:

If you have a preference to put in an extremely thin layer of linseed oil to your canvas just before you apply the paint, you would for sure work less on trying to rub the pigment on. This would further give you a more feasible surface as the paint would slide on. Also you might not require varnishing your painting as it will end up with a glossy look.

Remember that you are the only person who knows the difference between a palette and a canvas. As far as the pigment is concerned they are both mixing surfaces, meaning you could even mix your paint on either one.



ALVIN

?? asked:


I have an art project (my first serious one with watercolors) so I’m wondering what some good strategies? Thank you!

VAUGHN

Lee Dobbins asked:


The beach decorating style is both casual and charming. It brings a bit of nature and fun into any home and the best part is that you can give your home a great beach theme without having to spend a lot of money.

When considering a new decorating theme for any room, there are 3 things you want to think about - the colors, the furniture and the accessories. Here are some tips on how to pull together a beach theme in your home using these 3 elements.

Color

Any good beach decorating theme should tie in the colors of the beach. Sky and ocean blues, sandy tans and sunshine yellows look great. However, a white color scheme accented with blue and yellow pillows and accessories can look wonderful too. One fun idea is to paint the ceiling a yellow, the walls a light blue and use tan colored rugs - sisal rugs are great for this theme.

If you are on a budget, then paint is the perfect solution. It is cheap plus it makes a huge impact on any room. In fact, paint is one of the least expensive decorating options but makes the biggest difference.

Furniture

You want the furniture for your beach theme to be casual. Soft fluffy couches with slip covers are ideal and don’t forget to include lots of pillows. You might also consider wicker but make sure it is sturdy enough for household furniture. If you are decorating a kitchen, whitewashed wooden kitchen tables and chairs go great with this theme.

Buying new furniture can be expensive, but if you have old furniture that is sturdy and has the right shape, you can simply get some nice slipcovers and you’ll have a whole new look. Got an old kitchen table that doesn’t quite “go”? Then why not give it a coat of paint and then add some character by sanding down some of the edges to give it an antiqued look? If you have to buy new furniture then check out some of your local consignment shops - you can often get like new furniture for a fraction of the price.

Accessories

Here’s where the fun starts! You can decorate with seashells, starfish and beach themed prints. Try buying some large shells and putting them on them mantle, coffee table and end tables. You might consider shelving to show off your shell collection. If you are going for a soft look, try hanging watercolor prints of beach scenes. For a more traditional look, you might consider oil painting of ships. Also, don’t overlook using clear glass lamps filled with seashells or beach glass.

Beach themed accessories can be really inexpensive and often free! Take a trip to the beach and pick up all the shells you can find. For larger shells and dried starfish, you can visit a shell shop. For paintings and prints, scour the consignment shops or antique malls for inexpensive artwork that appeals to your senses.

As you can see, beach decorating can be fun and thrifty if you keep an eye out for a good bargain and know where to shop. The key is to plan your room out ahead of time and then you can spend a little time each day shopping for bargains as you put together your perfect beach themed room.



MATT