Watercolours

A painting method that employs pigment suspended in a water-based solution, usually applied onto paper.

Though its earliest origins are thought to be prehistoric, its history is usually dated from the Renaissance, when it was used by artists such as Albrecht Durer.

While it may be used as for the creation of preparatory studies, it is also an art form in its own right, and is a technique used for botanical illustration, wildlife illustration and topographical painting as well as traditional genres, particularly landscape.


The Battle of Loos painting

Artillery museum shells out at auction to secure First World War battle scene

10 July 2024

The Royal Artillery Museum has emerged as the winning bidder for a rare eyewitness view of a First World War battle sold at a recent auction in Farnham.

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Original Harry Potter artwork takes a magical $1.6m result

08 July 2024

The original artwork for 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' sold at Sotheby’s for $1.6m (£1.3m) plus 20% buyer’s premium in New York on June 26.

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Knight plays a part in sale success

08 July 2024

Portrait sketch of pianist by Dame Laura was one of the eye-catching works on paper offered in the run-up to summer

Battle Of Loos

Soldier’s watercolour of First World War battle to appear at auction

02 July 2024

Richard Barrett Talbot Kelly’s observations of the Battle of Loos appears at Parker Fine Art Auctions

2650 AP Roseberys Washington 2

Newly discovered American portrait miniature of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale comes to a London saleroom

26 June 2024

A rare opportunity has come up to bid for a portrait miniature of the first US president, which has been found in the UK.

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Second staging of a new classic

24 June 2024

Event that filled the void left by Art & Antiques for Everyone is back at Birmingham NEC after its debut last year

Edward Bawden watercolour

Rediscovered Edward Bawden watercolour finds path to London auction

19 June 2024

A watercolour by Edward Bawden (1903-1989) which was considered lost since the 1940s emerged at the latest fine art sale held at Olympia Auctions.

William Prinsep watercolour

Macau scenes set record for William Prinsep at Bonhams

19 June 2024

Two watercolours of the Portuguese colony of Macao by the British colonial artist William Prinsep (1794-1874) sold for record sums in Bonhams’ latest Travel & Exploration sale.

2649 NEDI Gorringes Robert Emmet 1

A portrait miniature of Irish revolutionary Robert Emmet rouses bidders at auction

17 June 2024

The emergence of a rare portrait miniature of Robert Emmet, dated c.1803, at Gorringe’s in Lewes proved to be an exciting discovery.

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Mod Brit dealer puts the spotlight on painter teacher Norman Clark

27 May 2024

Show covers highly rated British artist who was content to keep a low profile

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Top stories this week including news of a British watercolour flying over estimate

19 May 2024

The most viewed stories on this website over the last week included news of a ‘British School’ waterfall scene making 60 times estimate

The Falls of Clyde watercolour

‘British School’ waterfall scene takes 60 times estimate after bidders identify artist

09 May 2024

An early 19th century ‘British School’ watercolour painting of a waterfall raced away from a guide of $200-300 to bring $18,000 (£14,400) at an auction in Massachusetts this week.

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Specialists double up for an exhibition

06 May 2024

In a joint portrait miniature exhibition by Emma Rutherford of The Limner Company and Nick Cox of Period Portraits a depiction of Jane Seymour by Wenceslas Hollar (1607-77) is among the highlights.

Charles Tunnicliffe watercolour

Oystercatchers create a splash at Macclesfield auction

03 May 2024

Somewhat appropriately given the subject matter, a picture of oystercatchers flew away at a recent Adam Partridge sale in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone illustration

Original cover artwork for Harry Potter estimated at record $600,000 comes to auction

02 May 2024

The original cover watercolour for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by Thomas Taylor is coming to auction with the highest pre-sale estimate ever placed on an item of any Harry Potter-related work, according to Sotheby’s.

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Fine copy of Hilliard’s miniature Raleigh portrait comes to light

29 April 2024

The well-known miniature portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh by Nicholas Hilliard (c.1547-1619) in the National Portrait Gallery was painted c.1585, the year after Raleigh was knighted.

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Lowell Libson and Jonny Yarker – a very public partnership

29 April 2024

In 2018, British watercolours and drawings specialist Lowell Libson made the unusual move of adding a name, that of Jonny Yarker, to that of his self-titled business.

Lavinia Fontana portrait

Art dealer rediscovers 16th century portrait miniature by Lavinia Fontana in Texas

15 April 2024

A ‘lost’ late 16th century portrait miniature by Italian painter Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614) has been rediscovered by an art dealer.

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Barrett Browning sale bonanza as family collection comes to auction

15 April 2024

Varied group of items related to the poet appeared for sale in Somerset

Dianthus

Large collection of John Ruskin drawings and watercolours offered at London dealership

10 April 2024

The 45-piece collection includes several with an intriguing provenance

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