Art Therapy: Watercolors Part 3

Serene Grace, , , ,

The liquified colors meander like rivers, silent streams of tears or rain droplets, that suddenly pool like lakes that wrinkle and swell, as if they had a mind of their own.

Serene Grace

I appreciate watercolor for its delicate, subtle effects and it’s easy setup and cleanup process; but it’s a comparatively more unforgiving medium compared to others. Opaque paints like oil and acrylics can be painted over and pencil is erasable; but with watercolors the inevitable errors are difficult to fix because once the paint is applied it dries quickly. The initial sketch marks (original perception and intention) can’t be easily hidden either.

I’ve tried to “erase” mistakes, blending away unwanted marks (by adding more water to dilute the pigment) but then the exhausted paper gets overworked and resists with gritty nubs of shredded paper lint, which scrub the surface, just like dirt rubbed off of skin. Ugh. Have I ruined the portrait that I’ve worked on for hours?

I see watercolor painting as analogous to life—experiences can leave distinct, indelible marks. Those marks can either become gentle teachers (guides) if noticed and addressed early, but they can also become immovable, monstrous scars that can’t be repaired.

The bigger the error, the deeper the scar.

Serene Grace
Note to self: Don’t quit prematurely, see if mistakes can be corrected (healed). If an error is irreparable, let go—reset by starting again. Use the previous example as a guide, a map to avoid those pitfalls. Keep going, keep improving. Persevere til the end.

Oftentimes paintings that I initially disliked, end up being liked. I have to remember to fight the urge to prematurely give up and throw them away. When I see them in their completed state, I’m glad I didn’t discard their hidden potential. I think creating art gives lessons of patience, a direct counterbalance to perfectionism. When I rework just a few details, the image shifts and gracefully rights itself—not always, but frequently. The end results aren’t ever perfect, but I like them nonetheless.

There’s a beauty within imperfection and a quality of love, in acceptance of what is.

Serene Grace

11 Comments

  1. I can see you getting more familiar with the paint medium. True, Watercolor is one of those mediums that can take you in unexpected directions. It’s not easy, and that’s part of the appeal.

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      1. Back when I had a whole brain and my fingers did what my brain told them to do, my best works were total accidents of blending colors. I never learned how to do human faces accurately. My daughters and grand daughter can but, this kid is a fail. So, I did landscapes instead.

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  2. I found this extremely interesting, Judy.
    As the only one in my family who didn’t know how to draw ✍️, sketch ✍️ or paint 🎨 (my dad, mother and sister all could), I really don’t know much about the medium of painting.
    But I remember my dad always told people that watercolour was his favourite medium of painting to work in.
    I had no idea until I now read this post of yours on watercolour that it is in fact the most difficult medium of painting to work in.

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    1. I’m glad you found the post interesting, Christopher. I’m self-taught in painting, so I am not an expert :), it’s my opinion that watercolor is harder to work with, but I like that aspect of it. I used to sketch using an ink pen so that it would force me to work without erasing. I feel like watercolor does the same thing. I wonder if you tried to paint, perhaps you’d surprise yourself? If you can close your eyes and hold an image in your mind, I think you can draw or paint it. Everything I’ve heard you say about your dad, makes him likeable. Your love for him is clear🙂🌸

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      1. I can close my eyes and hold an image in my mind.
        So maybe somehow someway I could draw or paint 🎨.
        I’ve always had hundreds of images go through my mind each day.
        So that’s how I turned to writing to express them.
        And with AI Image generation, I can now visually create them.
        Glad my love for my dad is clear in my writing. 🙂🌸

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      2. You definitely have a good imagination and your writing displays it well. I think visual art and writing have the similarity of observation, detailed observation that’s brought forward visually or verbally/through language. I like how you utilize AI image generation to enhance your writing. It’s good to hear stories about your dad, love is a treasure. 🌸❤️🙂

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  3. Hello my friend. I agree how watercolours can be deceptively difficult. I also love your observations how it can mirror life – it makes me appreciate the medium even more. I am glad you continue to paint!

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  4. You’re developing your eye for detail and as long as you don’t pursue perfection, you’ll find that zone where all your brush strokes flow together.
    Just as in life we are not and will never be perfect beings but God’s eye for detail and through the Holy Spirit, can help us heal and become closer to the being He created.
    Blessings always, Judy 🙏🏼🕊️

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