July is World Watercolor Month, a time to promote the use of watercolor in artistic expression and inspire artists of all skill levels to dive into the medium. Whether you’re a professional painter or have never picked up a paintbrush before, you can join in the celebration by creating your own watercolor art.
Browse our collection for materials on watercolor painting, or use your library card to access Creativebug for free video courses on watercolor painting projects.
Books
The Beginner's Guide to Watercolor: Master Essential Skills and Techniques Through Guided Exercises and Projects by Jovy Merryl
No-Fail Watercolor: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Painting With Confidence by Mako
Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days by Jenna Rainey
DVDs
Chinese Watercolor Techniques: Painting Animals
Basic Watercolor Techniques
Simply Painting: Introduction to Watercolors & Paint Box
Library Programs
The Art Lab @ Hawthorne: Watercolor Painting
Monday, July 11, 3 p.m. at Hawthorne Branch, ages 12 and up
Judy Harris is back with her fabulously popular and engaging watercolor class. No previous drawing or painting experience is required. Materials provided. Registration required.
Thursday, July 14, 2 p.m. at Archer Branch, ages 12 and up
Learn how to draw and watercolor various ocean animals. Materials provided.
Painting with Paper: Watercolor Art
Thursday, July 14, 4 p.m. at Millhopper Branch, ages 12-18
Explore and experiment with tissue paper to create a watercolor painting. Materials provided. Registration required.
Check the Events Calendar for other arts and crafts programs at the library.
- Famous Watercolor Artists
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John James Audubon (1785-1851)
"John James Audubon was not the first person to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of America (Alexander Wilson has that distinction), but for half a century he was the young country’s dominant wildlife artist. His seminal The Birds of America, a collection of 435 life-size prints, quickly eclipsed Wilson’s work and is still a standard against which 20th and 21st century bird artists, such as Roger Tory Peterson and David Sibley, are measured." - audubon.org
Generous donations from the Alachua Audubon Society have allowed the Alachua County Library District to offer birding kits for checkout. Children can also go birdwatching with the STEM Kit: Birding Adventures, courtesy of donations from The Rotary Club of Gainesville. Alachua County residents can also use their library card to access Audubon Magazine.
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
"John Singer Sargent was the most successful portrait painter of his era, as well as a gifted landscape painter and watercolorist. Sargent was born in Florence, Italy to American parents." - johnsingersargent.org
Mary Whyte (1953)
"Mary Whyte is an American figurative artist known internationally for her watercolors of contemporary people. Her works are in private, corporate, university, and public collections nationwide, and have been featured in numerous media outlets including CBS Sunday Morning, PBS, and NPR." - marywhyte.com
Winslow Homer (1836-1910)
"Winslow Homer was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art." - winslow-homer.com