[Aquanet] Robert Genn speaks

[Mary E Whitehill]

I subscribe to Robert Genn's  http://painter'skeys.com  and have sent
comments occasionally that he published.  Have to resist that as I am
desperately trying to cut back on computer time. Today's letter quoted by
Pat Davis is a frequent topic amongst watercolor artists.  I hope this
trend back to traditional oils is just a phase that will swing the other
way again. It is actually more expensive to do watercolors because of the
acid free matting and glass necessary.  For outdoor exhibits and in some
national shows, plexiglass is needed and that is more costly. 
Watercolors are more permanent than oils if acid free paper is used.  The
ancient Roman Frescoes were of watercolor. The paper works of my great
grandfather are in perfect condition compared to oils which had to be
restored.  Coal was burned for heat in the 19th century and the oils
turned black but the glass protected watercolors and pastels.  The great
teachers Edgar Whitney, John Pike and Edward Betts started a huge
watercolor wave of popularity and it may come around again.  Incidentally
there is a blog for Edgar Whiteney just started 
http://edgarwhitney.blogspot.com.

M. E Whitehill - Watercolors
 wtrclr at juno.com
Fine art paintings of flowers, landscapes, historic sites of the Hudson
Valley

Check "What's New" on my Web Site  www.mewhitehill.com