Colors That Capture: Matthew Natale's Skillful Blending of Texture and Tone
Technique: Dry Then Wet
Emerging artist Matthew Natale of Okeechobee, Florida brings his keen eye and experimentation with uncommon mediums to this 22x29" piece on 140lb watercolor paper. Titled "Colors That Capture", Natale achieves a rich interplay of color and dimension through his "Dry Then Wet" technique.
Textures Across the Spectrum
By first applying watercolor crayon dry over dry paper, Natale establishes layers of color that remain vibrant yet muted. Subtle variances in pigment emerge as lines and shapes. With the reintroduction of moisture, those initial marks transform - softening at the edges while maintaining definition in their cores. An impressive expanse of texture evolves, invoking comparisons to landscapes, seascapes and more.
A Palette that Pulls the Eye
Natale pairs complimentary and analogous hues throughout his piece: warm reds and oranges flow gently into cooling blues and greens. Attention shifts naturally from one vibrant segment to the next, following the artist's rhythmic placement of color. Darker accents in purples and browns add dimensionality, separating planes that otherwise may have blended together indistinctly.
Mastery Through Experimentation
Through novel techniques like "Dry Then Wet", Natale explores watercolor crayon's full creative potential. His mastery of this medium is evident in how color, texture and composition converge meaningfully. Numbering over 500 works, Natale's collection proves him an emerging talent dedicated to thoughtful artistic exploration. In "Colors That Capture", that dedication sparkles through.
