Watercolour of the Second Half of the 20th – First Quarter of the 21st Century: Evolution of Technique and Transformation of Artistic Language

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to study the evolution of the technique of watercolour painting and to determine the main directions of transformation of its artistic language in the second half of the 20th – first quarter of the 21st century. The research methodology is based on the complex application of historical and art-historical, comparative and systemic methods, which allow analysing the evolution of watercolour technique, its artistic features and transformations in the context of the development of modern fine arts. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the complex analysis of the evolution of watercolour technique of the second half of the 20th – first quarter of the 21st century and determining the main directions of transformation of the artistic language of watercolour in the context of modern artistic processes. Conclusions. Watercolour painting is a dynamic and multifaceted type of fine art, the development of which occurs in the interaction of traditional techniques and modern artistic practices. The historical evolution of watercolour demonstrates its gradual transition from an auxiliary technique to an independent type of easel painting, characterised by a wide range of technical techniques, textural effects and materials. Watercolour underwent particularly significant changes in the second half of the 20th – early 21st centuries. The expansion of technical capabilities, the use of new materials and the combination of various artistic techniques contributed to the formation of a new artistic language. Modern watercolour combines traditional principles of transparency and lightness with experimental approaches to colour, texture and composition. Watercolour is also actively integrated with other artistic techniques and digital technologies, which expands its expressive capabilities. This allows artists to create works of various styles and nature that reflect current trends in the development of art. Watercolour appears as an artistic system open to experiments, combining tradition, innovation and the individual style of the artist.