Watercolor is one of the oldest and most beloved painting techniques in the world. With just a little pigment, water, and imagination, artists across centuries have brought landscapes, portraits, and dreams to life on paper.
The origins of watercolor can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt and China, where natural pigments were mixed with water to illustrate scrolls and manuscripts. During the Renaissance, artists like Albrecht Dürer elevated the medium into fine art, using it not just for sketches, but for detailed, expressive works. Watercolors were also essential tools for explorers, who used the portable and practical medium to document plants, landscapes, maps, and architectural discoveries for the world to see.
Today, watercolor is everywhere, from professional illustrations to travel journals and even in everyday planners. And it pairs beautifully with tools like ink pens and colored pencils, which can add line work, shading, or details before or after painting. The combination of precise drawing and fluid color is what makes watercolor so versatile and exciting.
Five Fun Facts About Watercolor
- It's older than oil paint! Ancient cave paintings used water-based pigments long before oil painting became popular in the 15th century.
- It travels well Explorers and botanists used portable watercolor kits to document plants and animals in the wild.
- Pencils and ink love it Watercolor artists often sketch first with graphite or waterproof ink, then layer on color.
- It’s unpredictable (in the best way) Water and pigment create organic, beautiful accidents that can’t be exactly repeated.
- There’s a “gouache” cousin Gouache is a thicker, more opaque version of watercolor that gives a matte, velvety finish.
Watercolors in Japanese Art & Manga Culture
In Japan, water-based media have been a core part of artistic expression for centuries, from the flowing brushstrokes of sumi-e (ink wash painting) to the vibrant pages of manga and light novel illustrations.
While most mainstream manga are traditionally inked in black and white, many Japanese manga artists and illustrators use watercolor to create stunning cover art, promotional illustrations, and full-color pages. These painted works often bring characters to life with a soft, emotional touch that digital art can’t always replicate.
Artists like Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D) are famous for their dreamlike, watercolor-infused illustrations, blending Japanese tradition with fantasy. Others, like Ebine Yamaji, use watercolors for their personal and expressive visual storytelling.
Watercolor in Illustration: Not Just Traditional
In Japan’s doujinshi (independent comic) scene and in art schools, watercolor remains a popular medium for portfolios and sketchbooks. It offers a handmade, nostalgic feel, perfect for capturing quiet emotions or natural settings, often seen in slice-of-life manga and anime concept art.
Top 5 Most Famous Watercolor Paint Brands
1. Winsor & Newton - England since 1832
- Their Professional Water Colours line is a global gold standard. Consistent pigment load, beautiful transparency, and excellent mixing behavior.
2. Schmincke Horadam - Germany since 1881
- Premium, artist-grade watercolors made with uncompromising standards. Their colors rewet beautifully and offer extreme lightfastness. Many say their granulation and texture are unbeatable.
3. Daniel Smith - USA since 1976
Highly pigmented, bold colors and unique “PrimaTek” paints made from real minerals. One of the widest ranges of single-pigment colors and unusual granulating effects.
4. Sennelier - France Since 1887
Soft, creamy, honey-based watercolors with luminous French charm. Their buttery texture and historic pigment recipes feel luxurious.
5. Kuretake Gansai Tambi – Japan Since 1902
Traditional Japanese watercolors with vibrant, opaque finishes. Rich, creamy pigments that work well for both painting and manga illustration.
Honorable Mentions
· Holbein (Japan): Vibrant, smooth-flowing paints perfect for illustration.
· White Nights (Russia) : Affordable artist-grade paints with intense pigment.
· HIMI (China) : Popular for beginners and gouache-style paint sets, especially on social media.
Top 5 Most Famous Watercolor Paintings in Art History
1. “The Blue Rigi” by J.M.W. Turner (c. 1842)
· Artist: Joseph Mallord William Turner (England)
· Why It’s Famous: A poetic, atmospheric watercolor of the Swiss Alps. Turner’s mastery of light and color made him one of the greatest watercolorists ever.
2. “Young Hare” by Albrecht Dürer (1502)
- Artist: Albrecht Dürer (Germany)
- Why It’s Famous: This hyper-detailed watercolor is a technical masterpiece of realism. It shows the incredible precision possible with watercolor—even in the 1500s.
3. “Pine Trees at Sunset” by Hiroshige (19th century)
- Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige (Japan)
- Why It’s Famous: Though best known for woodblock prints, Hiroshige’s watercolor sketches reveal the influence of nature and traditional Japanese aesthetics in soft, flowing colors.
4. “The Grand Canal, Venice” by John Singer Sargent (c. 1900)
- Artist: John Singer Sargent (USA/UK)
- Why It’s Famous: Sargent’s watercolors are loose, expressive, and elegant. His Venice scenes are among the most admired watercolor works of the 20th century.
5. “Japanese Bridge” Watercolor Studies by Claude Monet
- Artist: Claude Monet (France)
- Why It’s Famous: While Monet is best known for oil paintings, he also created watercolor and gouache sketches of his garden, especially the Japanese bridge and lily pond.
Bonus: Other Watercolor Legends to Know
- Winslow Homer: American painter known for marine scenes.
- Paul Cézanne: Used watercolor for bold landscapes and still lifes.
- Georgia O’Keeffe: Created expressive watercolors early in her career.
What Do I Need to Start Painting with Watercolor?
Starting with watercolor doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. You just need a few essentials:
Basic Watercolor Starter Kit:
- Watercolor Paints: Choose a small set of pans or tubes. Look for student-grade or artist-grade. Some great beginner sets include Winsor & Newton Cotman, Kuretake Gansai Tambi, or Barkleys mini kits.
- Brushes: Get 2–3 round brushes in different sizes (like #2, #6, and #10). Synthetic brushes are affordable and versatile.
- Watercolor Paper: Regular paper won't work, it warps and tears. Choose watercolor paper 200–300 gsm. Cold-pressed paper is slightly textured and beginner-friendly.
- Water cup: You’ll need clean water to rinse and dilute your paint.
- Mixing palette: A simple white plastic or ceramic dish works well to mix colors.
- Pencil & eraser (optional): For sketching your design before painting.
- Fine liner (0,5 mm ): water proof ink
- Cloth or paper towel: To dab your brush or lift excess water.
Watercolor vs. Gouache: What’s the Difference?
These two are like cousins in the paint world. They look similar in the palette, but behave very differently.
|
Feature |
Watercolor |
Gouache |
|
Transparency |
Transparent you can see the paper under |
Opaque covers up what's underneath |
|
Finish |
Light, fluid, delicate |
Matte, velvety, bold |
|
Water Use |
Needs more water for flow & transparency |
Less water, more creamy |
|
Layering |
You layer from light to dark |
You can layer light over dark (like acrylic) |
|
Style |
Airy, luminous, great for washes |
Flat color blocks, illustrations, posters |
So, why the confusion?
Some people call gouache “opaque watercolor” because it's water-soluble and reactivates like watercolor, but it behaves more like acrylic or tempera. In fact, many artists combine watercolor and gouache in the same painting to play with texture and depth.
Pro Tip: If you’re not sure which one to choose:
- Go for watercolor if you want something soft, translucent, and atmospheric.
- Try gouache if you love bold, graphic illustrations or want more control and opacity.
Papers for Watercolor (Gouache-Friendly)
Hahnemuhle Watercolor Paper
- Strengths: Typically 100% cotton, excellent absorption, and quality surface.
- Caveat: Masking fluid (frisket) can damage the paper. As one user noted, “if removed vigorously it can remove the top layer of paper,” so masking should be used cautiously.
Penco Sketch Book B5 Heavy (HS Painting King – 157 g/m²)
- Off-white, textured yet soft surface.
- Absorbs and dries quickly; resists warping and tearing even under wet media.
- Spiral binding lies flat, ideal for on-the-go gouache and watercolor work.
Midori MD Paper / Notebook
- Generally smooth and multipurpose, but lighter media only.
- Great for: Fountain pens, light watercolor or gouache washes, ink sketching, colored pencils, markers (excluding heavy alcohol-based markers like Sharpies, which may bleed).
- Note: Slight warping can occur but is generally manageable with a bit of flattening. Notably, heavier washes will cause crinkling, manageable but not ideal for full watercolor paintings.
Planners & Agendas: Watercolor Compatibility
Hobonichi Techo - Tomoe River Paper
· Ultra-thin but very ink-resistant and handles light watercolor and gouache surprisingly well.
· However, beware: alcohol-based pens bleed through.
- Not suited for fountain pens or likely watercolor;
- Better to use only ballpoint or gel pens.
Practical Tips for Watercolor on Diverse Paper:
- Pre-wet the paper: Apply a light layer of water first to control fluidity and absorption.
- Stretch or tape your paper: Use artist’s tape or stretching boards to keep pages flat while drying.
- Use flat metal bars or heavy books to press pages flat once dry.
- Avoid overworking a single spot: especially on thinner paper like Midori,to prevent breakdown.
- Test small swatches: Especially on Hahnemuhle, to ensure masking or media won’t harm the surface.
|
Paper / Planner |
Best For |
Considerations |
|
Hahnemuhle |
High-quality watercolor, expert-level control |
Masking fluid can damage, test first |
|
Penco B5 Heavy (157 g/m²) |
Travel watercolor, gouache, sturdy usage |
Excellent wet-resistance, lies flat |
|
Midori MD |
Light gouache, journaling, multimedia layering |
Warping possible, flatten after drying |
|
Hobonichi Techo |
Daily planner + light watercolor accents |
Thin page, ink/water safe, but fragile |
|
ICONIC Planner |
Writing only, avoid wet media |
Poor ink compatibility, likely unsuitable |
Can I Use Fountain Pens on Penco Sketch Paper?
You can definitely use fountain pens on Penco sketch paper, especially for drawing or outlining before painting. Just be aware it’s not a "fountain pen paper" it’s a sketch and paint paper that happens to hold ink really well.
For calligraphy, journaling, or heavy writing with fountain pens, something like Midori MD or Tomoe River will give a better ink flow and sheen. But for mixed media art, Penco is an excellent choice.
Ready to Begin Your Watercolor Journey?
You don’t need a fancy studio or years of training to start, just a small set of watercolors, a brush, and a bit of curiosity. Whether you're painting a quiet moment from your day, a dreamy character, or simply letting the colors flow, watercolor has a way of surprising and delighting you.
So go ahead, pick up that brush, dip it in water, and let your imagination lead the way.
And remember: KIKU will be right by your side, with beautiful tools, inspiring ideas, and a shared love for creativity. Who knows? You might just fall in love with the process… and maybe, this is where your journey to becoming a watercolor master begins J.