Week #11: Alternate Watercolor Techniques

Last week we spent some time experimenting with an alternative to watercolor painting and ink wash.  This process involved using dry erase markers and magic markers with water and brushes to create watercolor-like drawings.  I would like to simply document my experimentation with this process and discuss some of the ways it could be applied in the art classroom.

There were two primary techniques we discovered in class:  one that involves drawing directly on the paper and using water to pull it on the paper, and one that involves scribbling ink onto a palette or plate and using the water as the transfer medium to move the pigment to the paper.  We experimented with a variety of different markers including Crayola markers, Vis-à-vis markers, and EF 400 Waterbase markers.  Below are a few examples of my experimentation with these techniques:

All of the following images are examples

of experiments created by my classmates:

This process could be very easily applied in the art curriculum as an exploration of the elements of line, shape, or value.  It could also be used as a substitute for watercolor or india ink in a drawing or painting project.  Landscapes, still lifes, portraiture, and more are all within the scope of this unique medium.

In relation to Cindy Foley’s TED Talk concerning teaching student to think like artists (that we watched in class) this medium is useful because it has so much versatility.  It is loose enough, and nontraditional enough to allow students to create their own techniques and select their own subject matter.  This would lead right into Foley’s ideas of students being comfortable with ambiguity, and being able to generate ideas.  Her talk can be found here:

Teaching art or teaching to think like an artist? | Cindy Foley | TEDxColumbus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFRfJb2ONk