Qiu Yuxiang Works

Author: Qiu Yuxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-03
Features: The painting method of watercolor sketching varies from person to person—whether to paint thinly, thickly, or a combination of both, etc. This depends on individual habits and experience. However, no matter how it is painted, the best approach is to fully reflect the characteristics of watercolor. What are the characteristics of watercolor? This needs to be compared with oil painting and watercolor. Watercolor is a painting style that falls between oil painting and watercolor. It combines some of the strengths of both, but also has many shortcomings compared to them. Compared to oil painting, it lacks the thickness and richness of color. Compared to watercolor, it lacks transparency and the sense of ink-like fluidity that watercolor possesses. However, the bright, saturated, and lively tones of watercolor, a certain degree of breathability, as well as the free and effortless brushwork, are the characteristics of watercolor and cannot be replaced by oil painting or watercolor. Precisely for this reason, watercolor sketching can be enjoyed by both the refined and the masses, making it loved and accepted by people. Making watercolor sketching truly embody the essence of watercolor and its characteristics is not an easy task. It requires long-term practice in watercolor sketching and continuous accumulation of experience. The thin painting method of watercolor also needs to be measured—too thin, and it will not only fail to achieve the transparency of watercolor but may also make the painting effect dull, losing the inherent luster of watercolor. To truly create high-quality artistic works with watercolor, merely reflecting its characteristics in the painting is not enough. The author must also possess a certain level of cultural and artistic cultivation. I have been painting watercolor for a considerable amount of time, but I still often encounter moments where I can't continue painting. This is not primarily due to lack of skill but rather a result of shortcomings in my concepts and overall cultivation in various aspects.