I've lived with watercolours all my life as my father was quite a well-known East Anglian artist. The house was always full of his landscapes, even though he left home when I was quite young. He taught me a little but I was mostly interested in art history and it wasn't until later in life that I took up the medium myself.
It is one of the most difficult painting mediums. You can't really paint over your washes to correct your mistakes, as you can with oils, acrylics, pastel etc. - they go muddy. But the more you practise, the more you progress - a truism of course, but definitely worth the effort.
For those of us who like to paint en plein air, its great advantage is convenience: a pad of paper, a pocket watercolour box and some brushes, and of course water - and you're kitted out. You may also wish to take a stool and easel. Many artists like to travel and paint together, and the history of art is littered with examples of those who do, for companionship, for support, for a word of friendly advice. In the studio you are generally on your own, rather a lonely business, so I like to get together and paint with my mates.
Membership of the Highgate Watercolour Group gives me all this plus the opportunity to show my work every year at Lauderdale House with my fellow members.
Vanessa Whinney
07974 679441
Vanessa.whinney@talktalk.net
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Brackish Water, Walberswick