Guy Gruwier

This is an article on the conscious application of abstract thinking on realistic watercolour painting, with the approach of not knowing what things are, but how they manifest themselves to the viewer's eye. Important issues in this approach are definition of contours, equal colour division and the search for contrasting elements in the subject matter.

"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge" (Daniël J. Boorstin)
My own point of view on producing a good piece of art : "Diligence leads towards high expectancies, only meditation and analysis leads to satisfaction".
I can perhaps say that in all those years, the constant seeking for the right balance between tone, value and contrasts has led me into an Odyssey of disillusions, successes and self consideration. Our mind is so much more powerfull than the physical restrictions we are confronted with when trying to put down an image with paint, brushes and water. Our spirit should be prolonged through our hands but oh, matter is so limited and the mind screams to get out !

A studio is a piece of heaven, where the watercolour artist tries to write his novel of personal insights, filled with meditation and contemplation. In the quest for colours and the fight with the white paper, time is on his side, because no one can bring him off his concentration or distract him from the conviction that he needs to make a new statement in a series of consistent artworks.