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Painting
for pleasure can become a very addictive pastime, and that's aside
from the social side of classes, workshops, exhibitions, art societies
etc.
One
of the most popular mediums for amateur artists is watercolour;
a fascinating if unpredictable medium that has fascinated artists
for hundreds of years. Watercolour can never be fully mastered or
conquered. The accidental effects and unpredictable behaviour of
the different pigments are what make it so interesting and the intrigue
of watercolour comes from experimentation and discovery.
Most artists find that the light in Andalucía is marvellous for watercolour painting. Increasingly, the local town halls are offering art classes for a very low cost for both residents and foreigners. In Mijas, there is a thriving art centre which has classes in several media, including watercolour, oils and sculpture. Other towns along the coast and inland also offer courses, exhibitions and artists’ groups. These are usually held on a weekly basis and there are regular exhibitions of students' work in the villages.
For
those who have chosen to retire here, painting is a delightful hobby
which is creative, stimulating and satisfying. If you decide not
to join a class, then there are numerous books published on the
subject which you can order over the Internet - try Amazon.com for
a comprehensive selection of what's available.
Getting started in watercolour requires very few materials:
- Brushes, such as a no. 2 fine
liner brush & 1" flat brush
- Paint - Burnt Sienna, Indigo,
etc
- Paper - 1 sheet of 300gsm paper
- A white plastic plate or a
flat lid for a palette
- Masking tape and a piece of
cardboard to tape down your paper
- An old towel to cover your
work table and wipe your brush on
- A pencil
Buy the best you can afford, but
remember, some of the most beautiful, expressive, paintings were
done on cave walls with mud and a stick!
Bravura Academy
Oil Painting Workshops, Retreats, Classes & Excursions in Arcos de la Frontera. Learn, Master and Enjoy the Art of Oil Painting. |
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Painting