why I call myself a modern watercolorist

[@julienotsmith7068]

I just took up watercolor during lockdown, to keep from going stir-crazy. What little art training I've had, was pen, ink, and oil, and was decades ago. I'm entirely self-taught on watercolor except for watching YT videos and Skillshare, and I'd say the snobbery is alive and well, unfortunately. And I agree, 'modern watercolor' sounds a lot more accurate than 'mixed media' when you're just using a couple kinds of water-based paint. To me mixed media would be ink, watercolor, colored pencil, gouache, and a couple others all together. I'm also running into people who think you should only use one brand of watercolor, lifetime, so you know exactly what to expect, and... what's the fun in that?

[@MarianneBarrientez]

From my experience this sort of gate keeping is so common in almost all art forms. I remember being a beginner with acrylics and my art teacher (an oil painter) saw it as not a true medium. When acrylics became mainstream, there were a lot of traditional oil painters that were somewhat annoyed by it. I recently started a tattooing apprenticeship, and with that I’m learning all of the trendy and up and coming styles of tattoo, and there are traditional tattoo artist that again are gate keeping what is ‘true’ tattooing. As an artist I feel I’ve run into this sort of behavior too many times and because of that I’ve made it a conscious decision to never be opposed to new art forms. Art has always and will always evolve. All art forms are valid, no matter what subcategory you lump yourself into. Art is art. Especially if it makes you feel something.

[@jjtravis7399]

Can you please tell us what was in that salad dressing bottle?? I am intrigued.... thanks so much.

[@alejandromorales9516]

Chiming in to say I love to use titanium white impasto in my watercolors at the end. I love the texture and drama I can get with it. Art history is full of rule breakers. Also I've lost track of how many times I've seen watercolors by famous artists in major museums that also use gouache.

[@maggiealatorre8332]

Well, I totally understand you, I've been doing some serious painting for 7 months and trying to find my style. I'm in dozen of watercolor Facebook groups and there is a lot of talent out there and many post unbelievably wonderful traditional psintings. I like them but to be honest it's the same of the same old... I always feel attracted to what it's different, to what intrigues me and that is usually mixed media o watercolor with a touch of something different. I don't think that art should be so constrained, most of the major masters did different things! So, I'm so happy you put a voice to my thoughts (which I believe it's not only me)! Thanks!

[@lottylouart]

Only watercolour and then you get the same old same old. Someone has to break the rules and push the medium in a new direction. I love your work so thanks for being a misfit!

[@johnwdav116]

Kudos .. great video and explaination .. I also was struggling with this pure watercolor and mix media concept until artist like you made me comfortable with my art and to hell with the snobs .. I love my Art, watercolor, pen and ink, gauche, tempra or whatever it takes to do the painting to my likening .. thanks Carie YOU ROCK !!!!

[@louizelimepips3517]

You have the mind of a true artist. Your work is very inspirational. When I want to learn about watercolor, I go to your blog and watch your videos. Thanks for getting me hooked on this beautiful medium. 😘 Keep doing what you do.

[@sincostanian]

Beautiful painting! I love the longer videos :) Sorry that you had to go through that at such a young age. I try to overcome the art "rules" by remembering that I an the artist and I can do whatever I want with my art. Like Willy Wonka said "we are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." :)

[@doctorarvindram]

I still remember My dad Has zero knowledge of water colors And I used draw and mix them all up and it was nice , my dad was like you shouldn’t mix them and like I started to lose interest in my art because of the negative feedback I am now 33 yrs and my career as a surgeon is going well But this Sort off A small redemption What I did was art Maybe a MISFIT But it was mine Thank you Glad I follow you PS KZbin algorithm Is creepy

[@Christine_R]

I noticed that most of the people would say... "This is not a true watercolor painting if you add ink outlines or white gouache." People are weird.. but I'm weird too and we all are in some way. If I'm using a colored pencil to sketch out the subject that I want to paint then I'll still call it watercolor. Sometimes I'll sketch in ballpoint pen but I would rather call it "ink" and watercolor than mixed media. To me... mixed media would be more than just this one supply to add highlights or more depth in a painting.

[@salserita1899]

No limit to imagination and expérience 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lianabrittain6262]

Thank you! I too am a watercolour "misfit"! Because my work is contemporary and not a landscape, floral, or still-life, it is dismissed. I agree with you - there is no limit to creativity and imagination! My work is predominantly watercolour with hints of watercolour pencil crayon and ink. I wish I could post a picture!

[@hapnewsom9217]

@@lianabrittain6262 Start your own youtube channel, or instagram account and do just that. No one is trying to stifle anyone else's creativity (even though you might feel it is). I am sure no one has come to your studio and forced you to use (a) a certain brand of paint (b) only certain colors of paint (c) paint only certain subjects or (d) only paint on certain surfaces. You are ( and always have been) free to paint what your heart tells you to paint, how your heart tells you to paint, and when your heart tells you to paint. In short don't spend your energies worrying about "them" spend your energies working to be the best YOU you can be. I paint for myself. I did not start watercolors until I retired from my career job. I don't sell my paintings ( I give most of them away) because I don't WANT to; it might change the "magic" I find in creating them. I also don't care if anyone else on the planet likes them. Sometimes I don't even care if I like them! For me it's the journey more than the destination. Every time I wet a brush and put it to paper I LEARN something...admittedly sometimes I learn "oops! THAT did not go as planned!!", but even then it's learning and growing. if people like what I paint fine...if not just as fine. I've also learned to accept that once I have finished a painting...I lose control of it, it belongs to whoever sees it, whether they see what I intended for them to see, or something totally different. I have no say in that interaction because it's between the viewer and the art, NOT the viewer and my ego. in short my dear, be wild, be free, and don't be afraid to be yourself, but don't expect everyone to agree with you an be ok with that!

[@mjpete27]

I am glad that you have found your spot in the sun! Creating Art just to create is something some of those who live by rules are never gonna get! I look forward to watching people branching out with watercolor paintings! Opaque colors and even mixing it up with gouache! I have even started putting pastels on top of “failed” watercolor paintings to give them new life and purpose! Paper has always been expensive and I just never throw anything away! Now I have a new use for those pictures! Thank you for sharing your story and I am sorry that you had such a lousy experience with that fuddy duddy! You are doing so well and that is the best revenge!!!

[@akirabaycrest4398]

Beautiful work!

[@PaulaBean]

I didn't know that the "watercolor police" really exists ;-) BTW, a lot of urban sketchers use white gel pen highlights on their watercolors. It's perfectly acceptable.

[@ellenp7455]

Wow... I wonder, did that woman know, that even Turner used white gouache? They called it " body paint", because it contained chalk which made it less fluid. And Turner is considered one of the best watercolourist ever born! It pains me to think, how many less of talented painters we have now, because of the ignorance which they met on their way... Good on you for persevering and keeping to your path! So that now we have a pleasure of admiring your wonderful work!

[@ivakubistova3652]

Thank you! It is wonderful!!!

[@zefugainspe]

This painting is beautiful :)

[@englishroses2464]

Love your channel - new here 👍! Can you tell me what the white stuff I painting is - gouache or masking fluid?

[@annabellak.2864]

I've just started learning gouache, and I always see it described as opaque watercolor. That makes it even more confusing. 🤔 edit: Oh, and I love the painting 😍

[@gingerkelly5146]

And I thought I was considered a watercolorists. I use some other supplies on mine. And I sign in ink so i guess I’m a mixed up artists too!!

[@lianabrittain6262]

Me too! We are watercolourists and I resent anyone who would suggest I am not, simply because my work is contemporary. I use a hint of in and watercolour pencil crayon. I wish I could post a picture so we could share our work and start a discussion. I use predominantly watercolour with a bit of watercolour pencil crayon and ink!

[@wizkidsvideos]

Such a cool painting.

[@corriemcginnis4400]

All I could picture is her walking away literally with her nose in the air "rules are rules". And snobs are snobs. Art snobs are so off putting. Like watercolor is the first ever medium to not be allowed to evolve. What medium has not evolved over time ?

[@moonspiritartbycindyhill1084]

I love this piece

[@Scottlp2]

So in this context “modern” doesn’t mean unpleasant that most people don’t want to look at? ;-). Love your work.

[@cursedseraphimdarkstar2016]

Great sharing. 👏🆙

[@AurorasArtWorld]

I have the same problem but with everyone saying "OMG! You should do illustrations for children's books!!"... Ummm no thanks? If only a 4 year old can appreciate my art, I need help in a bad way!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@bonniedeboer1036]

Hi Carry hope you are oke! What is the color you used in this movie?

[@Matagot90]

Sometimes i use pastel pencils in addition to my watercoloring.

[@lianabrittain6262]

Me too and a tiny bit of ink, but the painting is by far watercolour! It's a contemporary approach not bound by the traditionalist rules of watercolour. Why can't we be recognized as an alternative form of watercolour?! I wish I could post a picture so I could show you what I mean. Liana

[@barbriley583]

My bro judges watercolor…nothing but watercolor…even need to sign in watercolor or pencil💕

[@allthecolorsinmyhead]

Now I want to know if they asked every oil painter if they did their under painting in acrylic (bec many do, since acrylic dries faster) and therefore making the painting a mixed media piece. Personally almost everything I do is mixed media, and I tend to think of it as having used at least three different mediums. Watercolor, pen and colored pencils is a common mix for me. And if I say I’m doing a massive mixed media piece, it doesn’t necessarily means it’s a large size, but that I have an excessive amount of mediums and layers going on one piece of paper. 🤣 That’s when I’m using stuff like stamps and stencils and gluing on ephemera in addition to painting and drawing/mark making. So when saying added gel pen to a painting makes it a mixed media piece, I’m inclined to roll my eyes. Like there is a difference between a mixed media piece vs a piece that happens to use several mediums. In the case of the latter, a piece is primarily done in one medium and any others used just enhance it. If that makes sense.

[@alvirosy]

What a video :)

[@hapnewsom9217]

rules are in fact rules...set down usually by the watercolor societies that set up the competitions. Mixed Media is the "No Rules" club where everyone fits in. The AWS (American Watercolor Society) has set it's standards and the TWS (Transparent Watercolor society) is even more stringent using ONLY watercolors that are graded as "transparent". Their society so they get to make (and agree to) the rules..me? I just paint whatever and however I like and don't do "competitions"

[@lianabrittain6262]

I respectfully beg to differ. I think it's time that the rules were expanded made more inclusive to make room for more modern uses of watercolour. Just because our work doesn't conform to some conventional set of rules set out how many years ago? does mean that we too don't deserve our own category within the watercolour family. We are contemporary watercolourists. We use the medium in creative, modern, interpretive ways. Please make a place for us in the art world as contemporary watercolourists.

[@hapnewsom9217]

@@lianabrittain6262 philosophically I agree with you wholeheartedly, however we don't get to change their rules. They are just as entitled to paint the way THEY want as you are to paint the way YOU want. If you do not like THEIR rules, then don't join THEIR societies. Make your own and get like minded folk to join YOUR society and abide by YOUR rules. I do not belong to any of their societies, and paint the way I want to paint, with what I want to paint. You can beg to differ all you want, but if you want to paint in their "sandbox" you have to play by their rules.

[@lianabrittain6262]

@@hapnewsom9217 I appreciate your perspective and point of view. However, the point I was making was that perhaps there needs to be a new category of watercolour paintings. Perhaps I did not express myself clearly enough. I respect their right to highly define their style of watercolour paintings. I just think there is room for something new and fresh. Traditional watercolour, with their rules, and contemporary with a fresh new, innovative approach to watercolour. I don't know how one goes about achieving such an expansion of the category, but I maintain, it is long overdue and we should have the right to be recognized as a category of watercolour painting too.

[@whitneywilson7556]

@@lianabrittain6262 Start your own society for modern watercolorists. No sass. Why? I’m a fiber artist. Embroidery has been seen as a craft for many years. The art establishment wouldn’t typically put fiber in art shows. Because of various embroidery societies (and fiber art societies) it is now being taken seriously as an art form. 😊

[@fuzzydragons]

what happened to you with your watercolour piece is one reason some contests allow other mediums in small amounts to a piece now (listed in the rules if allowed)

[@joanpringle-canning2834]

🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@WindspielArt]

I dont think that your video is long at all. I usually watch videos 15-35 long so I think its rather short (and the one you made last week was mega short xD)

[@ZitaChristie]

Ugh… Good art is always good no matter what media you’re using and I feel the artists themselves should decide which category they want to be in, but anyway… that jury was just plain rude.😉

[@englishroses2464]

Oops! I see it is masking fluid! 🤣

[@oliferous]

Even after hearing that and knowing all of the crazy experiences, shared or observed, I still can’t believe that there is that level of “art shaming “ going on!Somehow even in our world of creative expression, people still find a means to present themselves as “better” people, artists, arseholes.. you know what I mean?!? It’s freaking ridiculous! I challenge you to find an artist that has not been called names or made to feel different or inferior and yet we have this bs?!? Come on!! Arrrgh! Sorry, this kinda crap really bothers me. No one should ever put down anyone’s art or music or EXPRESSION because it’s not like someone else’s!! That’s a huge reason it gets made dammit!!!! Oh well, I know some will never learn or get it. And I’m sure someday they’ll “trip” and fall into a pit of angry Lions with cobras shooting outta their hoo-haws!! 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♀️

[@PumpkinBecki]

What a sad attitude the lady had. Where would art be if all we did was stick to the "rules" and value tradition above all else...cave painting maybe? xx

[@lianabrittain6262]

I completely agree! It's time for the concept of watercolour to be expanded to include contemporary watercolourists who use the medium of watercolour in creative, modern, innovative ways to express our ideas and visions! I wish I could share my paintings, along with those of others, and start a discussion to change this.

[@mariemccullough9874]

Look at Shirley Trevena art

[@icanhazKnit]

🤣 thats so weird that there’s GATEKEEPING in watercolor

[@allisonjames2923]

Ugh. Art snobs 🙄