Watercolor compositions on summer themes by artists. Modern Russian watercolor

What are the global trends in watercolor art?
What is most valued in watercolor?
Who is the most popular artist in the world?

Perhaps the best answer to this question is I international competition Watercolors(The 1st World Watercolor Competition), conducted by the popular magazine “The Art of Watercolor”.

1615 artists took part in the competition. 1891 watercolors were presented. The jury first selected 295 semi-finalists and then 23 finalists. 7 artists were awarded prizes.

The works of all participants are published in the competition catalogue.

And this gives a wonderful opportunity to see the “face” - best watercolors 2014.

First of all, when I looked through the catalog, I saw the following:

The best watercolors of the world: main trends

Landscapes, as always, are in the majority. Especially urban ones. And if they are presented in some unusual way, then they may well end up in the finals.

Like this work by William Hook, an artist from the USA:

One of the most popular topics is portraits of old people.

I would like to think that this is from universal love and respect for older people, from interest in their lives, from the desire to understand how they live, to see the imprint of time on their faces.

Here are a couple of catalog pages:

Or maybe the topic is raised by many, since the artist is a reflection public consciousness. And often artists reflect acute social problems in their paintings...

Yes, The topic of national minorities and emigrants, by the way, also often comes up…

Be that as it may, among the 7 winning works, two are portraits of old people.

First place, winner of the competition – Cheng-Wen Cheng, an artist from Taiwan with the painting “Loving Mother”:

The silver medal of the competition went to Chinese artist Guan Weixing for his painting “The Smoking Old Man”:

Are you already wondering who received the Bronze medal?..

In third place is (Hail Celestial Empire!) the Chinese artist Liu Yi. I believe many are familiar with his work from his compositions with ballerinas.

The work “Chinese Girl” was presented at the competition:

I don't know about you, but I see this good sign. East and West are becoming closer to each other. Eastern artists paint in a traditional European manner, and Europeans, on the contrary, study gohua and sumi-e, draw geishas and sakura... There are also such examples in the catalogue.

Here, for example, is a watercolor by the Argentine artist Stella Escalante:

By the way, one more observation – VERY few watercolors with flowers. For the entire catalog with more than 1800 works there are not 30 pieces...

Moreover, most of them are in the second part of the catalogue, “in the slag,” as I called it. What else can you call the eliminated authors whose watercolors did not qualify for the semi-finals? There is slag.

My work, by the way, is also in this row... :) Here are a couple of these “gray” pages, opened at random:

On the gray pages, for the most part, there are some amateur works, with poor drawings and poor technique.

However, there are also very good famous artists. But the jury did not appreciate them.

It was difficult for him, the jury... This is always the question - how to judge? What to take as a measure?

And if with a weak drawing and composition as a whole everything is clear, there are no questions - it’s straight into the slag, then among the professionals you already have to think.

What to prioritize? Socially significant topics? Realism? Innovation in technology? Or, on the contrary, loyalty to traditions?

Of course, artists also ask these same questions. Participation in a competition is an opportunity to look at your creativity from the outside. Who am I? Where am I going? Where am I among other artists? Are people interested in what I'm interested in?

It was these questions that prompted me to submit watercolors to the competition that I myself do not fully understand. This is energy painting. Works that preserve a certain energy-information component.

Marina Trushnikova. “The World of Crystal”

I showed this watercolor on the blog a year ago. You may remember the practice I suggested. There were a lot of comments that made me realize that people are now more sensitive in their perception. And what we call abstraction can give us all kinds of feelings and memories.

Unfortunately, with the change of site, the comments also disappeared. If you want, try this practice for yourself, write your impressions. It's here:

And we will return to the “white” and “black” pages of the catalog.

The white ones feature the best watercolors – the works of the semi-finalists. It was nice to see Konstantin Sterkhov, Evgeniy Kisnichan, and Ilya Ibryaev there.

And it was even more pleasant to see our compatriots Elena Bazanova and Dmitry Rodzin among the 23 finalists.

Elena Bazanova. “End of winter 2012. Apples”

Dmitry Rodzin. "Summer"

As you can see, Most of the finalists' works are very realistic.

Here, for example, is a watercolor by the Lithuanian artist Egle Lipeikaite:

Or the Frenchman Georges Artaud, he received a prize in the category “Best French Artist”:

Just a meditation on water... I like it. Anything is more pleasant than looking at the work of another finalist, American artist Andrew Kish III.

Watercolor - (from French aquarelle - water, from Latin aqua - water) paint for painting. It consists of finely ground pigment and easily water-soluble adhesives of plant origin - gum arabic and dextrin. Honey, sugar and glycerin retain moisture.

Watercolor is light, transparent, and at the same time complex. Does not tolerate correction. This paint has been known since ancient times. They were used in ancient Egypt, ancient China and in the countries of the ancient world. Watercolor needs special, porous paper. It was invented in China. The paint is easily absorbed into it. But the difficulty lies in transparency - you cannot cover one color with another - they will mix. It is impossible to correct the mistake, except perhaps to beat the spot that accidentally appeared. There are “wet brush” watercolors and “dry brush” watercolors. I love the first appointment. It is also called “a la prima”. It is lighter, more transparent.

In Europe, watercolor painting came into use later than other types of painting. One of the Renaissance artists who achieved great success V watercolor painting was Albrecht Dürer. An example of this is his work “The Hare”.

Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) Hare

Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) Primrose vulgaris, 1503. Washington, National Gallery Arts

In the 18th-19th centuries, thanks to Thomas Gurtin and Joseph Turner, watercolor became one of the most important types of English painting.

Thomas Girtin English artist(1775-1802) Ruins of Savoy Castle

Thomas Guertin was a young artist who died at the age of 27, but he is rightly called an outstanding artist. He very quickly developed his own style: sweeping aside some old canons, removing what was limited in the drawing, he began to refuse to develop foreground, sought to capture an open space, striving for panoramicness.

Turner. Kirkby Lonsdale church courtyard

The watercolorist also constantly improved his technique and studied the nature of the movement of water and air. By the beginning of the 19th century, in his watercolors he achieved the power and expressiveness usually inherent in oil painting. By discarding unnecessary detail, he created new type landscape through which the artist revealed his memories and experiences.

Innovations of Gurtin, who began to use watercolors for large-format paintings, and Turner, who significantly enriched the arsenal techniques watercolorist, brought to life the further rise of English watercolor in the work of landscape artists.

The English tradition of watercolor had a strong influence on Russian artists, especially those associated with the Imperial Academy of Arts, located in the capital of the empire - St. Petersburg.

The first name in the chronicle of Russian watercolors is Petr Fedorovich Sokolov.

He painted portraits of his contemporaries.

Watercolor painting in St. Petersburg and Russia reached an exceptional peak in last decades XIX and first two decades of the XX century. At a time when there were no photographs yet, speed of execution, a minimum number of tedious posing sessions, airiness of color - all this was needed Russian society. And therefore, it was watercolor that enjoyed success in the upper and middle layers.

Eduard Petrovich Gau. Gatchina Palace LOWER THRONE HALL. 1877

Such painters as Ilya Repin, Mikhail Vrubel, Valentin Serov, Ivan Bilibin brought their original tribute to the art of watercolor.

Vrubel

V. Serov Portrait of I. Repin

Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin (1876-1942). On the river bank. Pencil, watercolor

An important stage in the development of Russian watercolors was the organization in 1887 of the “Society of Russian Watercolorists,” which arose from a circle of watercolorists. Regular watercolor exhibitions and the creation of the “Society of Russian Watercolorists” (1887) contributed to the widespread dissemination of the technique and increased its status. The Society’s program did not have an ideological orientation; representatives of the Society coexisted peacefully among its members different directions united by a passion for the art of watercolor. A. N. Benois was elected its first chairman. The society was active exhibition activities, having spent 1896-1918. thirty-eight exhibitions. Its members were A.K. Beggrov, Albert Benois, P.D. Buchkin, N.N. Karazin, M.P. Klodt, L.F. Logario, A.I. Meshchersky, E.D. Polenova, A. P. Sokolov, P. P. Sokolov and others.

ALEXANDER BEGGROV Galera. Tver. 1867.

The task of preserving and transmitting the traditions of the watercolor school early XIX century and preparing the ground for a new rise in watercolor, the “Society of Russian Watercolorists” undoubtedly accomplished. Watercolor again began to be perceived as independent, possessing own language region visual arts. Many members of the Society became teachers for the next generation of artists.

Watercolor painting also fascinated members of the World of Art association. Alexandra Benois(1870-1960), Lev Bakst (1866-1924), Ivan Bilibin (1876-1942), Konstantin Somov (1869-1939), Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva (1871-1955). Watercolors were owned by the poet Maximilian Voloshin (1877-1932), whose drawings overlapped with his poetic works.

Lev Samoilovich Bakst. Dancer from the ballet Firebird. 1910. Watercolor.

Ivan Bilibin

K. Somov. Bathers. 1904. Paper, watercolor.

Alexander Palace in Detskoye Selo (watercolor) P A Ostroymov-Lebedev

Voloshin

Among the largest watercolor masters of the 20th century are N. A. Tyrsa, S. V. Gerasimov, A. A. Deineka, S. E. Zakharov, M. A. Zubreeva, A. S. Vedernikov, G. S. Vereisky, P. D. Buchkin, V. M. Konashevich, N. F. Lapshin, V. V. Lebedev, G. K. Malysh, A. N. Samokhvalov, S. I. Pustovoitov, V. A. Vetrogonsky, V. S. Klimashin, V.K. Teterin, A.I. Fonvizin and others.

Tyrsa N.A. Portrait of Anna Akhmatova. 1928 Paper, black watercolor

A.A.Deineka

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Watercolor is often called the most naughty, capricious paint. It is difficult to work with, difficult to store, unpredictable and requires maximum concentration from the artist. But those who managed to conquer and tame it know the secret of creating truly amazing works, looking at which you ask the only question: “Who did they sell their soul to in order to paint like that?”

website invites you to the gallery of truly atmospheric, bright and talented works. That's exactly it modern Art who is not ashamed to confess his love.

The emotional realism of Steve Hanks

The faces of people in most of the artist’s paintings are darkened or turned to the side. This is done to express emotions and to allow the body to “speak.” “I have always tried to show the world only positive moments in life. I hope that my work brings joy, peace and comfort to the viewer's life,” says Hanks.

Rainy watercolor by Lin Ching Che

The talented artist Lin Ching-Che is 27 years old. He is inspired autumn rain. Cloudy city streets do not make a guy feel melancholy and despondent, but rather make him want to pick up a brush. Lin Ching Che paints in watercolors. With colorful water it glorifies the rainy beauty of megacities.

The boiling fantasy of Arush Votsmush

Hiding under the pseudonym Arush Votsmush talented artist from Sevastopol Alexander Shumtsov. The artist says about his paintings: “I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone with my works. First of all, I enjoy it. This is a pure creativity drug. Or a clean life - without doping. Just a miracle."

The charm of Paris in the works of Thierry Duval

Paris-born artist Thierry Duval has traveled extensively. Hence the presence of entire series of paintings based on “geographical characteristics.” Nevertheless, Paris was and remains the author’s favorite place. The lion's share of works is dedicated specifically to the city of lovers. He has his own technique of layering watercolors, which allows him to create paintings with almost hyper-realistic detail.

Evening Calm by Joseph Zbukvic

Today, Croatian-born Australian Joseph Zbukvic is considered one of the pillars watercolor drawing worldwide. The artist fell in love with watercolor literally from the first stroke; he was struck by the untamed nature and individuality of this technique.

Secrets of the East through the eyes of Myo Vin Ong

The artist Myoe Win Aung dedicated all his work to his native Burma, its everyday life and holidays, lay people and monks, towns and cities. This world is calm, dressed in gentle colors, mysterious and slightly thoughtful, like the smile of Buddha.

Incredible watercolor by Joe Francis Dowden

English artist Joe Francis Dowden paints hyper-realistic watercolors. And he believes that everyone can do this, you just need to know the secrets of the technique. The secret of his inspiration is extremely simple: “Throw away your watercolor textbooks and get lost in a real forest.”

The magic of ballet from Liu Yi

The watercolors of this Chinese artist can easily be called art about art. After all, his favorite theme is images of people who are directly related to him - for example, ballerinas or classical musicians. The way they are presented in the paintings is peculiar: people seem to emerge from a thin haze, emotional and very characteristic. To some extent they echo the images of ballerinas French artist Edgar Degas.

Date of publication: 12/23/2016

Available in watercolor technique something special - fragile charm, lightness and weightlessness, the ability to surprisingly accurately convey the swiftness and fleetingness of the moment. Modern painters love watercolors. This technique is ideal for a dynamic, rapidly changing world before our eyes. In this review, we offer you a selection of the most famous watercolor artists who have achieved great heights in the art of watercolor and have gained worldwide popularity.

The most famous Australian artist working in watercolors. There is a museum in Zagreb named after him. The fact is that the artist was born in Croatia (in 1952), but at the age of 18 he emigrated to Australia with his family.

He studied industrial design at the University of Melbourne and later received his first awards and worldwide recognition. Croats are very proud of their famous countryman. In many art stores in Europe you can find brushes marked with his name for sale.

The secret of the artist’s success, by his own admission, is that he never makes paintings for sale, but creates exclusively for his own pleasure. D. Zbukvich's works can be seen in leading galleries around the world (in the USA, Great Britain, Australia, China).

His trademark is “Z” (the first letter of his last name). He teaches his students freedom, and compares watercolors to a wild, unbridled horse that can never truly be tamed. He confesses his love for her as the most beloved woman, and this love has lasted for 40 years.

The artist does not like pure black, saying that black is not a color, but its absence. Favorite topic – seascape and city views. One of the most unusual watercolors, which the master created, is written with just one paint - and this paint is instant coffee.

This artist just loves to write beautiful women and small children surrounded sunlight. His paintings are sensual, sometimes overtly sexual, full of harmony and very realistic.

Sometimes they resemble skillful photographs. He loves to paint women against the backdrop of water landscapes; the artist makes the water element especially realistic.

Steve Hanks was born in 1949 in California and fell in love with the ocean since childhood, because he spent quite a lot of time on its coast. Graduated with honors Art Academy in San Francisco.

The artist calls his own style “ emotional realism" Among the 10 most famous American artists. He says to himself that he paints people, but not portraits.

He loves to write sunlight, which is one of the main characters his watercolors. At first the artist tried to work with different techniques– oil, acrylic. But later he was forced to switch to working only with watercolors, as he was allergic to paints.

Eventually, he became so skilled at watercolor painting that he made the technique very similar to oil painting.

Born in 1953 in Ohio. Studied painting in Philadelphia in art school. This artist's specialty is portraits.

She draws amazing watercolor portraits the most different people- poor people, workers, children, old women and old men, beautiful African-American girls in flowering, sun-drenched meadows.

A whole gallery of faces modern America. Very bright, rich and sunny watercolors, full deep meaning. They depict people in the most ordinary situations busy with everyday activities.

The artist considers the ability to accurately convey emotions to be the main thing in her work. Simply masterfully copying things and people is not enough.

The artist works in two techniques – oil and watercolor. It was watercolor that brought her fame and recognition around the world. Mary White also successfully illustrates children's books.

He is called a French realist. The artist was born in 1962 in Paris. IN currently works as an illustrator in one of the publishing houses. He received an education in the field of decorative and applied arts.

He paints exclusively in watercolors, using his own technique of multi-layer paint application, due to which he achieves incredible realism in his work. Likes to work on individual accents.

Careful elaboration of details is the artist’s favorite technique, his trademark. Favorite theme: cityscape. The artist loves to paint his native Paris and Venice. His watercolors are imbued with romanticism and charm. He considers Eugene Delacroix to be his teacher in painting.

Rainy watercolor by Lin Ching Che

The talented artist Lin Ching-Che is 27 years old. He is inspired by autumn rain. Cloudy city streets do not make a guy feel melancholy and despondent, but rather make him want to pick up a brush. Lin Ching Che paints in watercolors. With colorful water it glorifies the rainy beauty of megacities.

The boiling fantasy of Arush Votsmush

Under the pseudonym Arush Votsmush hides a talented artist from Sevastopol, Alexander Shumtsov. The artist says about his paintings: “I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone with my works. First of all, I enjoy it. This is a pure creativity drug. Or a clean life - without doping. Just a miracle."

The charm of Paris in the works of Thierry Duval

Evening Calm by Joseph Zbukvic

Today, Croatian-born Australian Joseph Zbukvic is considered one of the pillars of watercolor painting throughout the world. The artist fell in love with watercolor literally from the first stroke; he was struck by the untamed nature and individuality of this technique.

Secrets of the East through the eyes of Myo Vin Ong

Incredible watercolor by Joe Francis Dowden

The magic of ballet from Liu Yi

The watercolors of this Chinese artist can easily be called art about art. After all, his favorite theme is images of people who are directly related to him - for example, ballerinas or classical musicians. The way they are presented in the paintings is peculiar: people seem to emerge from a thin haze, emotional and very characteristic. To some extent, they echo the images of ballerinas by the French artist Edgar Degas.

Solar painting by Abe Toshiyuki

Abe Toshiyuki received art education and devoted 20 years to teaching, never giving up his dream of becoming an artist. In 2008, he finally abandoned the teaching profession and devoted himself entirely to creative self-realization.

Country morning by Christian Granju

Frenchman Christian Granu (