Monday, September 7, 2009

The debate on runbacks

Watercolor painting of seaside
I have read at many places that runbacks spoil a paintings. But sometimes runbacks do happen unintentionally. But do they really spoil a painting? For me its not every time. I think sometimes they give you a good effect too.

The runbacks giving a suggestion of waves
While painting the sea in this painting I gave a wash of blue and then wanted to lift some paint off using a damp brush. But the brush had some water in it. And hence when I ran my brush across the blue runback did happen. I left it to dry and when it did I thought the runbacks looked like waves. It gave a good suggestion of waves. Happy accident as they call it.
Any comments ??

7 comments:

Liana Yarckin said...

Hi Prabal,
I love the runbacks in these paintings. I like the contrast between the freedom of watercolor flowing and the tight technical skills of watercolor together. Also, thank you so much for looking at my blog. I look at your blog for the same reason. Your art work is truly beautiful and tells a story of a place I have not visited.

Prabal said...

Thanks Liana for accepting my invitation. I guess my journey in art will now be more enriching now and hope I'll be able to reciprocate the same.

Viveks said...

Excellent work man! Look forward for more coming...

Prabal said...

Thanks all Viveks. :)

Mineke Reinders said...

Runbacks and other misadventures of watercolor turn into happy accidents when they occur in the right place, and the artist takes advantage of them - as you have done beautifully in this painting. Congrats. Very nice work.

Prabal said...

Thanks Mineke. It was indeed a happy accident. I hope more such things occur. :)

Prabal said...

Thanks Bharat. I'll see if I can do a similar painting at dawn or dusk.