John’s Blog
I have become hypnotized by watercolor. It’s the only medium where color can take a sideline to other characteristics. Watercolor has an existence of its own, and is capable of making art all by itself. I have spent the last 5 years trying to lose my addiction to reality by concentrating on shape and value, rather than color. As it turns out, watercolor is the perfect medium for that kind of experimentation.
I’m more engineer than artist. I spend as 
much time testing paints as I do painting with them. Watercolor paints are not like other wet media; when watercolor dries there is nothing left on the paper but pure pigment. The size of the pigment particles makes all the difference in the world. Once I realized this, paint selection became less about the color, and more about other characteristics that are unique when pigments are suspended in water.
I have been applying this idea to my work in an attempt to loosen up my paintings by concentrating on shape and value, and sacrificing color accuracy for other characteristics like transparency, texture and edging.
Many Ways to Gray, Part 4: Magic Grays
Grays with 'Character' This section is not about neutral tints at all, but an approach to mixing grays with character. I’m sure at some point every watercolorist has mixed up a batch of paint thinking it will be a nice color only to end up with a...
Many Ways to Gray, Part 5: Mac’s Gray
Over the years each artist will undoubtedly develop many of their own favorite gray mixtures. Often these formulas are what paint manufacturers are using. With the constant influx of new pigment options, there are always new ways to make neutrals...
Three Blacks for Watercolorists
(Video Presentation) Many artists would never consider black for their palette. Here are some reasons a watercolorist might want to keep multiple blacks. [‘PAPA Members Present’ Zoom presentation, April 14, 2021]