Exploring the art of painting and drawing Drawings and watercolors are perhaps two of the best mediums in which an artist can give free expression to his or her personality and emotion. Almost all artists execute drawings, whether they are studies for future works or intended as final pieces. Many painters also work with watercolors, or find that they must draw an idea before they can paint it. As spontaneous expressions, many drawings have a wonderful ability to reveal the inner workings of an artist.
Watercolor is a particularly exacting medium, demanding careful planning and flawless execution.
There is no opportunity to correct a watercolor, as there is with an oil painting, and watercolor requires that the artist carefully plan how the paper itself will affect the execution of the image. Artists such as John Singer Sargeant, J.M.W. Turner, Paul Cezanne, and Paul Klee are considered among the masters of the medium. Some of the most well-known artists are also prolific creators of drawings. Both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo created striking studies of the human body in preparation for later works. Additionally, some 18th-century British landscape artists are known for their haunting landscapes in ink and wash.