Juicy Colour and How to Get it.

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After I did the chameleon post I was asked by Linda how I got my watercolours so bright. Well I'll tell you. It's all down to using Schmincke watercolour paints which I discovered funnily enough, by other bloggers writing about them about a year ago and mentioning how lovely they are to use. As you may have noticed I love colour, so the juicier the better I say!

I came across this book yesterday while browsing for an inspiring art magazine. It's the 3 x 3 Illustration Annual filled with many top illustrators working today. I even saw a couple of names from Blogland that I know! I like what it says on the back:
"Illustration looks as different as artists themselves. Everyone considers themselves a photographer: anyone can take a picture. Few can draw or paint one. And draughtsmanship isn't enough. The true illustrator is a visual problem-solver par excellence with a unique perspective on the world, a personal vision translated in ink and paint. As original as original gets."
Now that's something to aspire to isn't it?



Comments

Unknown said…
Jessie I love this post cause I love Watercolor so much:) I used Schminke before and they indeed are great colors, at the moment I work with Sennelier, Daler and Rowney and Windsor and Newton, mostly Sennelier though, which are really great too. And I find that we really have to work "clean", i.e. change the water in the waterbucket very often, clean the brushes before taking on new color, etc, so that one color only get mixed with another one if we want it:)
I like the definition of the illustrator on your book, it is very beautiful and true!
Have a great weekend with your watercolors:), thanks for sharing!

love
Andrea
27 February 2009 at 12:36
Jess said…
Hi Andrea, it does get a bit tedious having to keep changing the water. It's worth it though isn't it? ;)
27 February 2009 at 12:41
April Jarocka said…
Never heard of them, but will keep my eye out when I go back to watercolours. VERY inspiring piece on back of book. Thanks for sharing that Jessie. I don't know what you did, but I'm pleased to we're back on your roll!! Keep splishing and sploshing that colour!
27 February 2009 at 13:43
Buskitten said…
Hi Jessie, y'know, I think I'll have a go with my watercolours....they are Windsor and Newton ones and about 100 years old (well, about 25!) but they should work OK sholdn't they? Do they go off, I wonder....
Great post Jessie, I've heard of the ones you are using - they're quite expensive and good I think - it said so in Artists and Illustrators magezine!
27 February 2009 at 15:37
Jess said…
I don't think they go off, but I do find some winsor and newton's stubborn to wake up and get going. The prices aren't that different from other makes. I buy them from 'Great Art.com'
27 February 2009 at 17:07
soulbrush said…
right, i have learnt so much from this post, will look for this name when i get some new ones.hugs.
27 February 2009 at 18:09
Jess said…
I'm pleased to hear that :)
27 February 2009 at 18:26
Julia Guthrie said…
Ooh Jessie, that interests me as I too strive to achieve the brightest colours I can!
I've not heard of that brand but I will have to investigate! Thank you:)
27 February 2009 at 22:40
tlchang said…
Living near Seattle as I do, I am in the neighborhood of Daniel Smith, and have become quite the fan of their pigments. Especially the quinacradone colors! They are amazing.
28 February 2009 at 08:46
Jess said…
That's one for me to look up, thanks Tara!
28 February 2009 at 11:32
J C said…
I agree Jessie that your colors are bright and beautiful. Love your art. I believe Schmincke are put out by Grumbacher. I don't know why they would be so much brighter but I recently learned that transparent watercolors are usually listed in four categories:
A - Absolutely permanant
B - Durable
C - Moderately durable
D - Fugitive

There are so many A, B, C's etc on these labels I can't figure out which refers to the above. If anyone knows.................help! :)
28 February 2009 at 14:14
Rosie said…
I don't know this brand but will certainly look them up because your colours are so vibrant.
28 February 2009 at 15:51
Lisa said…
Ooh thanks for this tip! I'll keep my eye out for those. I love juicy colors, too. Sometimes I look at the shabby chic stuff with the lovely whites and soft blues or pinks and go around the apartment making changes. Then, within hours, I've lugged all my fuschia, orange and chartreuse stuff back out. LOL
28 February 2009 at 21:31
Paula Bowles said…
Hi, thanks for your visit to my blog :) the deer at Ashton court are great aren't they!

If you fancy taking a look at the exhibition, it's on till 27th march, so plenty of time! There should be flyers now in waterstones, borders and blackwells :)

Oh, and I like that line 'illustration is as different as artists themselves'.. i often think that in a strange way the things we draw do, literally, have a resemblance to ourselves!
1 March 2009 at 15:16
sketched out said…
Oooh! Thanks so much for all the great info. I am definitely going to try that brand. I've been shying away from trad in favor of digital lately, mainly to achieve more vivid color... but it's worth giving it another go. Practice makes perfect... or at least proficient, eh?

Thanks also for the mention. Very sweet of you... oh and that mag, I def have to check that out!!
3 March 2009 at 18:36
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