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Get your paint brushes ready for World Watercolor Month on July 1! This month-long celebration of watercolor painting was started in 2016 by artist and teacher Charlie O'Shields, with the goal of promoting creativity and connection through the medium of watercolors. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this month is the perfect time to explore the beauty and versatility of watercolors. So grab your paints and let your imagination run wild as you join artists all over the world in celebrating this colorful and vibrant holiday.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commercial Watercolor Manufactured</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the early 1800s, the first commercial watercolor paints were produced, marking a significant milestone in the history of the medium.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1835</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Winsor & Newton Founded</div><div class='timeline-text'>Winsor & Newton, a notable brand in artist supplies, including watercolor paint, was established in 1835.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1866</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>American Society of Painters in Water Color</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Watercolor Society was founded, under the name “American Society of Painters in Water Colors”, spotlighting watercolor painting on a national level.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Watercolor in Modern Art Movements</div><div class='timeline-text'>Throughout the 1900s, watercolor painting played an integral role in modern art movements, expanding its range and influence in the art world.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>World Watercolor Month Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>Artist and teacher Charlie O'Shields initiated World Watercolor Month, promoting creativity and connection through watercolor painting.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a watercolor challenge</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to create a new watercolor painting every day for the month of July. This will not only improve your skills but also help you celebrate World Watercolor Month in a meaningful way.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a watercolor workshop</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Sign up for a watercolor workshop or class to learn new techniques and meet other artists. This is a great way to celebrate World Watercolor Month and expand your knowledge and skills.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a watercolor painting party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a fun and creative watercolor painting party! Provide supplies and snacks, and spend the evening painting and enjoying each other's company.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a local art exhibit</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support local artists by visiting a watercolor-themed art exhibit or gallery. This is a great way to celebrate World Watercolor Month and appreciate the beauty and diversity of this medium.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a watercolor journal</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Document your journey through World Watercolor Month by creating a special watercolor journal. Use it to record your thoughts, techniques, and progress throughout the month.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to explore your creativity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>World Watercolor Month is the perfect time to pick up a paintbrush and let your imagination run wild. Whether you're an experienced artist or just starting out, this month-long event encourages everyone to try their hand at watercolor painting and experiment with different techniques and styles.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Watercolors are accessible and affordable</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Unlike other forms of art that require expensive materials, watercolor painting can be done with just a few basic supplies - making it accessible to people of all ages and budgets. So don't be afraid to join in on the fun this World Watercolor Month!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a community-focused event</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Not only does World Watercolor Month promote personal creativity but also encourages connection and support within the global watercolor community. Artists from all over the world come together during this event to share their work, give and receive feedback, and inspire each other to try new things. It's a great opportunity to make new connections and learn from others in the art world.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Watercolors date back to cave paintings</h3><p class='facts-content'>The earliest forms of watercolor can be traced back to paleolithic Europe, where cavemen used natural pigments mixed with water to create cave paintings, reminding us of the ancient roots of this art form.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Watercolors were traditionally used for "on-the-go" sketching</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the 18th century, watercolor painting was seen mainly as a sketching medium on the move. Artists would commonly paint quick watercolor sketches of the landscape they were traveling through.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The transparency of watercolors makes them unique</h3><p class='facts-content'>Unlike acrylic or oil paint, one of the distinguishing features of watercolor paint is its transparency. This allows light to reflect from the surface underneath, giving the artwork a luminous quality that's hard to achieve with other mediums.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"United States”, the first American book on watercolors was published in 1942</h3><p class='facts-content'>The book "United States", written by artist and teacher Eliot O'Hara, was instrumental in promoting the medium and educating artists about watercolor techniques and styles in America.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Technological advancements played a crucial role in popularity of watercolors</h3><p class='facts-content'>The invention of the metal paint tube and improvements in chemical processes to mass-produce synthetic pigments made watercolor painting more accessible to a wider audience, causing a surge in its popularity during the 18th and 19th century.</p></div></div>
World Watercolor Month is celebrated on July 1 every year. In 2024, World Watercolor Month will occur on a Monday.
2023
Jul 1
Saturday
2024
Jul 1
Monday
2025
Jul 1
Tuesday
2026
Jul 1
Wednesday
2027
Jul 1
Thursday
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