A sk any artist which medium they least prefer to work with and also you’ll almost certainly get an analogous reply: watercolor. “It’s very challenging because it has a life of its own. It takes time to master it,” defined watercolor artist Renato “Rene” Canlas to Lifestyle. “It’s like a wild horse, but you can tame it slowly.”
He stated that watercolor is taken into account the toughest medium in portray. But it is not going to be as troublesome so long as you apply recurrently and have a love for the medium. “Huwag lang hihinto, that’s my advice for newbies.”
Canlas is among the many grand winners of the thirty fourth Kulay sa Tubig, the invitational watercolor competitors by Gallery Genesis that provides recognition to the perfect of the perfect Filipino watercolorists. The awarding ceremony was held on Oct. 3 at SM Megamall. Winners got a trophy, certificates and money prize.
“We are proud that we have uplifted the medium of watercolor to the status where it is today, quite almost the same as oil paintings,” shared Gallery Genesis chair Ernesto Salas.
Three hundred artists from everywhere in the Philippines and different elements of the area joined the long-running watercolor competitors. This was pared-down to 90 by a pre-screening course of. Finally, 5 grand winners and 5 runners-up have been picked by a panel of judges that included Felipe de Leon Jr., former chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; Metropolitan Museum president Tina Colayco; Joselito Zulueta; Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales; Kenneth Esguerra and Maritess Mendoza-Pineda.
Getting higher
The 5 grand winners are Canlas (“Spring of Hope), Rolando Guina (“Bike Check”), Ralvin Dizon (“Sa Pagitan ng Pahina at Paalam”), Dan Macapugay (“Ina”) and Richard Romeo (“A Golden Hour in Basilan”).
The runners-up are Gilbert “Berto” Enriquez (“The Happiness of Hope”), Jun Velasco (“Igorota Hand Weaver”), Arnold Estrella (“Danggit”), Vic Nabor (“Cleansing”) and Aizza Joy Allid (“Ang Pagtatahi”).
Despite acknowledging watercolor to be a difficult medium, Canlas stated it’s his most most well-liked as a result of it is vitally helpful. “I don’t need a big studio. I can go out, I can do it on the spot, en plein air. I can work even in a small corner.”
This is the third time Canlas has landed amongst Kulay sa Tu- huge’s 5 grand winners, meriting him a spot within the Hall of Fame subsequent yr. He discovered aiming for a 3rd win the hardest as a result of there’s extra strain on the artist, and in addition as a result of many watercolorists are getting higher every year. He’s grateful to Gallery Genesis for encouraging artists to pursue the medium, particularly since making artwork can be a manner for them to deal with the stresses of the pandemic. “Matibay yung gallery, talagang may direction,” he stated.
Canlas advises newbies to not be afraid of the medium. “All of us were once beginners. Start with small subjects, things that you really like.” It additionally helps when you may have artists who you look as much as, stated Canlas. He counts Andrew Wyeth and different American and European watercolorists amongst his idols.
Scenic
Macapugay’s grand profitable entry, “Ina,” relies on {a photograph} taken by a pal. He was drawn to the photograph as a result of the lady in it resembled his grandmother. “I named this ‘Ina’ because that’s what we call our grandmother, and each time I see this I remember her,” he defined in Filipino.
He stated he now not has photos of his grandmother—“Wala nang natira”—so he requested his pal if he may borrow the photograph and use it as reference for his portray. His pal obliged.
“It’s even more difficult to do a watercolor painting in a large format,” defined Macapugay. Kulay sa Tubig has an ordinary measurement for all entries, 21 inches by 29 in.
“You need to use a bigger brush. It’s easier to use the medium if you’re doing a small piece,” he added. “Especially with our weather, it tends to dry faster than you’d like.”
It is Macapugay’s third time to hitch Kulay sa Tubig and first time to be among the many winners.
“A Golden Hour in Basilan” relies on {a photograph} which Romeo took throughout a visit to Basilan throughout the pandemic. He stated he was taken by the artistry and workmanship of the colourful native boats moored on the port.
What Romeo finds outstanding is that these boats aren’t made for vacationers however for the day by day use of the native people. “They make these bangka for themselves which made me appreciate their art even more, the pureness of their culture.”
He took the image throughout sundown which made the realm much more scenic. “It’s just a regular port but the place is really relaxing,” shared Romeo. “Just take away the safety factor, the place alone is very beautiful. That’s why I chose it for my subject.”
An architect by occupation, he turned accustomed to the medium as a result of it’s what they utilized in faculty. He makes it some extent to do a minimum of one portray a month “just for the art.”
This is Romeo’s third time to hitch Kulay sa Tubig and has received twice, solely in need of one award earlier than he can land within the prestigious Hall of Fame.
“I really love to join competitions because you get to learn a lot and you also get to meet a lot of fellow artists,” he stated.
Hall of Fame
“We don’t really restrict in terms of theme because we want the artists to do whatever they want to do … What they want to put on the canvas, that’s really up to them,” defined Gallery Genesis president Patrice Salas.
“The judges all have a discussion, a deliberation depending on the subject, style, technique. They don’t know the artist when they see the artwork, no names so that there won’t be any biases. It’s just really about the artwork,” she added.
Aside from the winners, Gallery Genesis additionally elevated earlier three-time winners to its Hall of Fame: Manuel “Manny” Baldemor, Nel Canasa (+), Rodelio “Toti” Cerda, Jose “Ping” Ceriola, Edgar “Egai” Fernandez, Araceli Dans, Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, Clarence Eduarte, Renato “Ato” Habulan, Benjie Ladrido, Margarita “Marge” Lim, Noli Principe Manalang, Christian “Chris” Mirang, Victor Ng, Ernesto “Ernie” Patricio, Virgilio “Billy” Pomida, Pablo “Adi” Baen Santos (+), Jimmy Vista and Shui Long Wong.
Beyond the financial advantages, it has been the gallery’s intention to present equal alternatives to unknown artists. “Gallery Genesis provides opportunities where there are none. We do that because we want to help the artist,” stated the older Salas, who takes delight within the gallery’s repute for high quality.
He stated that the gallery will proceed with its mission to assist, whether or not in a small or huge manner, artists who want help alongside the best way.
“In the past 34 years, we have helped many artists, directly or indirectly, in a small or a big way, in uplifting their careers, their education and their names in the art industry. We hope to continue this in the coming years.” INQ
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