FilipinoArtPH takes part in celebrating World Watercolor Month this July.
Watercolor painting is a captivating art form that combines fluidity, transparency, and spontaneity.
Unlike other mediums, watercolor offers a unique ability to create delicate, radiant effects by layering thin washes. This medium’s ease of use and minimal preparation make it an accessible and appealing choice for artists of all levels.
Bianca Luztre, a passionate watercolor artist from Batangas, embodies the essence of this medium. Since 2018, Luztre has committed to painting daily, embracing watercolor’s challenges and joys. Her journey showcases the medium’s transformative power, from initial frustrations to a deep appreciation for its fluidity and simplicity.
When choosing a color palette, she typically limits herself to four or five colors. Her go-to palette is the primary colors magenta/red, cyan/blue, yellow, and a darker neutral color.
She compares watercolor to life, where mistakes are visible and hard to cover up due to the medium’s fluidity and immediacy. This forces us to embrace and incorporate imperfections into the final artwork. She says, “It’s a balance of joy and sorrow, peace and war, and reaping and sowing.”
Her passion for watercolor extends beyond her work; she eagerly shares her knowledge through workshops. Her teaching journey began when a friend invited her to conduct a workshop at their cafe. That experience even inspired her to hold monthly in-person workshops and weekly online sessions. During these online classes, she has a small group of ladies who work on their projects together for an hour.
Luztre leaves her advice for beginners in watercolor painting. Start with the basics, such as shapes, forms, composition, colors, and techniques to develop a unique style. Expect that the learning curve for watercolor can be steep; she encourages beginners to give themselves at least a year before considering giving up. Also, comparing oneself to another artist will make you doubt your work. Consider painting daily, even if for a few minutes. You don’t have to finish the painting in one sitting.
