Q: Does watercolour fade?

A: Fading only occurs when a bad quality pigment and or paper has been used.

Most of the artwork is done on either Buckingford, Schoeller’s Parole or Montval watercolour paper. I used Windsor and Newton Cotmann Watercolour pigments. During my career these products were considered the best of the range.

That being said, It is not advisable to hang a watercolour painting where it is exposed to direct sunlight. To help protect the pigment of the paint and the paper, watercolour artwork needs to be framed with glass, it also needs to be kept away from moist or damp to prevent damage.

Q: Why do I need to frame my watercolour art work?

A: Any artwork that is framed creates a focus point in the room. Apart from protecting the pigment, framing the art work protects the paper against. When framing your artwork it is important to remember to leave areas at the back of the mounting board open so that the paper can breath. The mounting board will be put behind the glass in the front of the artwork, covering the unpainted edges of the paper. The whole artwork will then be closed at the back by covering it with Masonite board or similar. Choose a colour of mounting board that you find the least in the painting.

Q: What makes watercolour different from other art mediums?

A: Watercolour is the most complex medium to paint with. Not many artists choose to work with it because of its difficulty and tis is part of what makes it even more exclusive. Some of the old masters for example William Blake, J.M.W Turner, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee used to work with watercolour in the planning of their artwork. 

Others like Edward Munch and Vincent van Gogh painted in watercolour as well, but are known for their work in oil.

Unfortunately watercolour is seen by many as a downgrade to oil paint. This is a huge misunderstanding, largely due to the fact that most people are uneducated about the value and the complexity of painting with watercolours.

Thus, it is always a good idea to invest in any watercolour painting.

Q: What does AWSSA stands for?

A: Associate member of the Water Colour Society of South Africa. This title was given to artists who performed according to certain standards set out by the Society. You had a limited time period to get a certain amount of paintings accepted for exhibitions. The paintings submitted were judged by different panels,  with judges varying from well known watercolour artists or people with a reputation in the art world. This was done to make sure that a high quality standard artists were recognized worldwide.

Q: What does the Saunders-Buckingford Award entails?

A: It means that your work was the best on that specific exhibition held by the WSSA. A huge honour for any artist. It also means that your standard of work competes on international level.

Q: Do you use watercolour paint pencils?

A: No

Q: How do you recognise if it is watercolour painting?

A: Transparency is the main characteristic of watecolour painting, in other words some parts of the paper will be visible because the colour pigment has been diluted with water. The painting is done on a slightly textured paper, which will be visible when you look at the surface of the paper at an angle,There are not many pencil marks visible and you will be able to sometimes see some brush strokes.

Q: Why is watercolour so difficult to apply?

A: There are many reasons. One reason that stands out to me is because one simply cannot correct it if you made a mistake, you will have to start over.  For example with oil paint you can paint over the mistake to conceal the mistake. Not with the watercolour medium.

Another, the challenge of mastering the techniques of the water and the paint on the paper to achieve a desired outcome. As an artist you have to work fast and know what you are doing. It is not like oil painting that can take weeks to complete. Most of the work will be completed in one session. This can only be achieved with years of practise. Many artists stick to the development of only one or two techniques. That is one of many reasons why my work is so versatile and exclusive. I have mastered many different watercolour techniques during the years.

Q: Why do I not have an internet presence?

A: I must confess that I do not have much of an attraction towards the internet, nor do I have a lot of knowledge on the workings of it. But I have decided it is time to commissioned Saskia, my daughter and a designer, to assist me with all the challenges that modern day social media presents for an older person.