Watercolours

A painting method that employs pigment suspended in a water-based solution, usually applied onto paper.

Though its earliest origins are thought to be prehistoric, its history is usually dated from the Renaissance, when it was used by artists such as Albrecht Durer.

While it may be used as for the creation of preparatory studies, it is also an art form in its own right, and is a technique used for botanical illustration, wildlife illustration and topographical painting as well as traditional genres, particularly landscape.


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The web shop window: portrait miniature of artist's sister

07 June 2021

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

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Algernon Newton takes to the country

31 May 2021

Algernon Newton (1880-1968) has been one of the stars of the season with both his urban and rural scenes attracting high prices in the regions in the last month.

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An Italian fascination: Eton College master's collection offered at exhibition

17 May 2021

This late 18th century watercolour of the famous cascades at Neptune’s Grotto in Tivoli forms part of a private collection of works on paper currently offered in Classic Ground: Travels in Italy, an online exhibition at Karen Taylor Fine Art.

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John Smart miniature proves big attraction at Kinghams

17 May 2021

A week after Kinghams’ (23% buyer’s premium) inaugural Moreton-in-Marsh sale of British art pottery, the new Cotswolds rooms enjoyed a big hit in miniature – more specifically this portrait by one of Britain’s greatest miniaturists: John Smart (1743-1811).

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Mould loves a fresh discovery

26 April 2021

Show focuses on how latest technology and techniques can reassess portraits and paintings.

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Archibald Thorburn seagulls fly high at Tennants

12 April 2021

It is often said there is a strict hierarchy for the prices of game bird pictures by the great ornithological artist Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935).

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Comet interest proves to be a vendor’s streak of good luck

22 March 2021

View of The Great Comet by George Buchanan Wollaston flies high at London saleroom Roseberys

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There once was an artist called Lear…

22 March 2021

…whose painting skill is now clear… as a first selling exhibition for 30 years underlines

Portrait of a Gentleman by Isaac Oliver

Portrait miniatures head to Compton Verney from the estate of the late Lady Grantchester

04 March 2021

A group of rare portrait miniatures has been gifted to the Warwickshire art gallery and country house Compton Verney.

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Young boy and a baby destined to be emperors one day

01 March 2021

This watercolour and pencil drawing from 1833 which became the star lot at a recent sale at Nusser (25% buyer’s premium) in Munich had an imperial connection.

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Piste off? Get an art fix instead

15 February 2021

With ski season on ice for so many, exhibitions offering snowy scenes could fill in

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Watercolour showing rail reaching the Highlands sold to local community

08 February 2021

A summer landscape of the Western Highlands of Scotland by Walter Hugh Paton (1828-95) was offered at Parker Fine Art Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).

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French tree blooms in saleroom

08 February 2021

The traditional works on paper sector can represent good value yet also still spark lively competition at auction.

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Poignant pictures by doomed polar explorer sold in Surrey

08 February 2021

Three small sketches of polar scenes caught the attention at a recent auction held by Lawrences (20% buyer’s premium) of Bletchingley in Surrey.

Portrait of Henry III by court artist Jean Decourt

'Lockdown locket' of Henry III could go home to France

30 January 2021

A ‘lockdown locket’ discovered at a regional auction house has been identified as depicting Henri III, King of France (1551-89) by portrait miniature consultant Emma Rutherford at dealership Philip Mould.

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Steamy Russell Flint works set pulses racing

25 January 2021

A collection of watercolours by Sir William Russell Flint (1880-1969) given their own stand-alone catalogue set pulses racing at Lyon & Turnbull.

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Miniature of Benjamin West by Henry Bone sells to US buyer

18 January 2021

A miniature by Henry Bone (1755-1834) depicting the American artist Benjamin West (1738-1820) was among the notable lots at the recent Hansons sale.

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Swedish painter’s alpine view brings a sense of place to Master Drawings New York

18 January 2021

“It was the first time I found myself in front of a glacier, alone in the infinite silence and solitude of the snow mountain, surrounded by the overwhelming majesty of nature…”

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Whitefriars stained glass designs offered at Abbott and Holder

04 January 2021

This 1928 ink and watercolour of stained glass for Stockton on the Forest in North Yorkshire is offered at Abbott and Holder for £350.

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West Sussex museum buys Edwardian designs for local church windows from London dealer

30 December 2020

Horsham Museum and Art Gallery has bought a presentation watercolour for three stained glass windows in local church St Peter’s in Cowfold from London dealers Abbott and Holder.

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