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.


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Cat and mice existing in harmony: the Graham Oakley Studio auction

16 October 2023

Beautiful watercolours by children’s book author and illustrator come to auction in studio sale

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Taj Mahal shines in the Welch collection

16 October 2023

Stuart Cary Welch (1928-2008) dedicated more than half a century to the study of the art and aesthetics of the Islamic World, and India in particular.

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Obituary: British watercolours dealer Bill Thomson

25 September 2023

We regret to announce the death of Bill Thomson, the well-known dealer in British watercolours, on June 6 aged 90.

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Designer John Orfe sped far ahead of his time

25 September 2023

Concept drawings by John Orfe (1922-2011), an American automotive and airline designer, came for sale in Virginia.

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It really was women and children first when HMS Birkenhead sank

11 September 2023

This 19th century watercolour on ivory portrait miniature depicts Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Seton (1814-52) of the 21st Fusiliers.

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Munnings stands and delivers

04 September 2023

With the traditional hiatus in the UK auction market typically stretching across the month of August, a number of notable picture highlights appeared slightly earlier this summer at sales around the country.

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Bidders just dig the Mary Potter style

28 August 2023

Coastal scene formerly owned by collector in the diamond mining industry attracts considerable interest

Miniature of Thomas Cromwell

Hever Castle reissues plea for return of miniatures stolen 20 years ago

23 August 2023

Twenty years ago a man walked into Anne Boleyn’s bedroom at Hever Castle and stole five miniature portraits from a glass vitrine cabinet.

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Auction record for Helen Allingham set in Malvern auction

07 August 2023

Thoughts that the sweet homely watercolours of Helen Allingham (1848-1926) have fallen from favour commercially may be premature, at least judging by the performance of a couple of works sold at a recent regional sale.

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News in brief including a JMW Turner watercolour of Chepstow Castle returning home

07 August 2023

A round-up of art and antiques news from the previous seven days, including an early watercolour by JMW Turner (1775-1851) returning to Chepstow after fundraising by local museums.

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Fedden and Wain show feline fancy

07 August 2023

A couple of cat pictures made bidders’ whiskers twitch of late.

Edmund Edgar miniature

Australian demand lifts Edmund Edgar miniature to five times estimate in Oxford auction

27 July 2023

Edmund Edgar (c.1804-54) worked as a house painter, engraver and lithographer in London. And life may have stayed that way had he not been apprehended by a constable in Lisson Grove, Marylebone on the morning of September 12, 1825, in possession of a bag of silver, watches, jewellery and fine linen.

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Ben Nevis takes artist back to highs

24 July 2023

Like his father of the same name, Thomas Miles Richardson Jnr (1813-90) began his career in Newcastle but he moved to London in 1846.

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Album revealing roots of Kew gardens is on export hold

24 July 2023

A group of drawings which helped develop the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew have been temporarily blocked from export in the hope a UK buyer can step in.

Giacometti chandelier

UK buyers sought for Giacometti bronze chandelier and 18th-century botanical drawings

18 July 2023

A Giacometti chandelier and drawings which helped develop Kew Gardens have been blocked from export in the hope a UK institution will raise funding.

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Sumptuous work by the Shaykh

17 July 2023

Album of watercolours by mysterious but talented Indian artist takes £90,000 at Scottish saleroom

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Two hundred years of the Cotmans celebrated as a single collection

10 July 2023

Family group at auction offered works by several generations including the renowned John Sell Cotman

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Caton Woodville hits new high

03 July 2023

Painting of an Indian Mutiny scene smashes the record thanks to bidding from the sub-continent

Finchley watercolour by JMW Turner

JMW Turner view of Finchley among five lots to watch this week

19 June 2023

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week.

Emma Rutherford

Dealer Emma Rutherford launches portrait miniatures company

12 June 2023

Portrait miniature specialist Emma Rutherford has launched her own firm after 15 years working with Philip Mould & Company.

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