Watercolor Painting Essay

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Watercolors vs. Oils Fine paintings are a very prestigious part of today's society as well as society years ago.
Watercolor paintings, which are paintings in which you use water as a base, date back centuries. Oil paintings, which are paintings made from an oil based pigment, also date back centuries to their prominent impact on famous Renaissance paintings. Throughout the years an ongoing debate emerged and challenged the idea of which paint option is the best, while the answer, in fact, lies in the type of painting. While watercolors and oil based paint both produce masterpieces, the pros and cons of using one particular paint in regards to canvas, setting, and intent can outweigh one another greatly.

The biggest difference between …show more content…

While preserving both oil and watercolor painting for long periods of time is possible, preserving an oil painting is much easier. Oils tend to have slower discoloration over time, last longer, and age fairly well with proper care. Paintings made with oil can be displayed outside of cases because they have less of a risk for environmental factors ruining them. Oils do, however, have a high chance of cracking and flaking over time. The best solution is restoration. Watercolors have a high risk for discoloration and fading. Water colors must be handled carefully. This process includes sealing the artwork in an airtight container in a room with low light. Light is one of the most hazardous factors for water color discoloration along with temperature and humidity. While caring for both types of paintings may be different they take an equal amount of work and are rewarding in that your painting will remain in tip top condition. In conclusion, painting with oil and painting with watercolors each have a special place in society. While one may be preferred over another to individual artists, each have particular uses and specific times when the must be used. Both oils and watercolors have the potential to be beautiful and meaningful, but when all is said and done it is the desired effect the artist wants to

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