Water colour by Janet Evans

   

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Fine original artwork from an artist and teacher with over 30 years experience. Born and educated in Anglesey / Gwynedd, who lived mostly in North Wales and Liverpool. She taught at secondary education level and currently tutors university undergraduate students. We will be uploading, downloadable video tutorials by this artist to this section in the future, from beginner to advanced levels in water colour techniques.

About the artist

Wales has inspired me with colour vibrancy and beauty, the ruggedness of the landscape juxtaposed against the soft nostalgic tranquility dissolving into enchanting shades.

Life

For most of my life i have experimented with oil painting and pastel work. it is only in the last 5 years that i have really experimented and concentrated on using the water colour medium, i trained as a graphic artist and i have worked on commissions, including posters and advertising. i became interested in water colour, because i had never used the medium professionally because it had not been popular during my time at university, i have found water colour difficult, it is a medium that has an unforgiving quality however carefully you plan your subject.

Outlook

My aim with water colour was experimentation, to try to produce that extra depth of colour that nostalgia paints in our own memories by using deliberate colour combinations to enhance the blurred image, to add just enugh crispness and detail so that the viewer can let their own imagination take over and add the perceptual influence to a medium that has been neglected. in my opinion water colour reserves a place in popularity.

Influences

Water colour artists that have influenced me have been David Bellamy he is a fine artist and teacher. Tina Holley a local welsh water colourist, who has impressive skill and ability, she helped me to start on my water colour journey, and William Selwyn a remarkable, water colourist who i think has perfected this medium.

Water colour Tips

• use a limited palate, so that colours don't become muddy and lose that translucency
• never mix paint with muddy old water, keep it clean 
• masking tape the paper tight against a hard board, so water wont warp the paper

French ultramarine and burnt umber are two colours that granulate when mixed with other colours, this granulated effect can be used to enhance texture areas, other texturing effects can be obtained by using large salt crystals, this provides similar effects to silk painting.     

1. when using wet into wet, blend the colours in, before the glaze goes out of the paint 
2. dry with a hair dryer, not in front of open fires, better still- leave to dry naturally  
3. chose the right paper - e.g. wet into wet needs thicker paper

Techunique

I like painting the sea, and seascapes, i have painted on location but find that painting on site has too many distractions / people and the weather / i normally sketch or take photos of the subject matter and paint the scene in my studio, i do take commisions but mainly paint at my leisure. 

all rights reserved © Janet Evans at the back of beyond studio 2007