A Portrait of Contemporary Watercolour: Vision, Intention and Humanity
Revealing the Art Behind the Artwork
In every issue, The Art of Watercolour seeks to highlight not only remarkable paintings but also the ideas, journeys and convictions that make them possible. This 60th edition gathers artists from around the world who remind us that watercolour is more than a medium — it is a way of seeing, remembering and being present.
Memory, Light and the Power of Interpretation
Some artists work through memory, like Tan Suz Chiang, who blends personal and collective recollections into poetic scenes where abstraction meets figuration. Others, like Nancy Newman, explore light from within, crafting tranquil spaces through delicate transparencies. Their works reflect sensations and inner radiance rather than literal representation.
Artistic Growth Through Practice and Reinvention
Elsewhere in this issue, decades of exploration reveal how clarity evolves over time. Michael Reardon looks back on thirty years of shifting from architectural precision to intuitive painting, while Sue Welsby reinvents still life through bold contrasts and vibrant colour. Their journeys show that artistic progress is cyclical, constantly reshaped by intention and courage.
Janine Gallizia’s Message: The Primacy of Intention
A central voice of this edition, Janine Gallizia revisits lessons from her friendship with Robert Wade to address a timeless question: how do we truly improve? She argues that growth stems not from accumulating techniques but from refining intention. Clear purpose leads to clear results, allowing choices of colour, value and composition to become meaningful. She believes today’s artists can flourish again — much like in the Impressionist era — through sincerity, vision and depth.
A Global Tapestry of Styles and Sensibilities
This theme resonates throughout the issue: Chan Dissanayake’s winter landscapes prioritise design and atmosphere, Jeanne Papa combines structure with emotion, Luis Perez uses transparency to strengthen presence, and artists like Dianne Sutherland and Karen Mai show how restraint and white space can be powerful. Boonkwang Noncharoen, meanwhile, brings us back to the human essence found in every face.
Walking Your Own Path
Together, these artists compose a vivid portrait of contemporary watercolour — diverse, experimental, technically ambitious and profoundly human. Whether you seek inspiration, guidance or companionship, this edition encourages you to pursue your own artistic path with renewed clarity. Happy painting, and may this year give you the confidence to push your work further than ever.
