Aquarelle vs. Watercolour — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Aquarelle is a transparent water painting technique, while watercolour refers to the paint itself or the artwork created with it.
Difference Between Aquarelle and Watercolour
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Aquarelle and watercolour are terms rooted in the art of painting with water-soluble pigments. Aquarelle, stemming from the French language, predominantly refers to the technique of creating transparent water paintings. This technique demands a precise application, often not allowing for any corrections once the paint is on paper. On the other hand, watercolour refers more broadly to the paint itself, formulated from pigment particles suspended in a water-based solution.
In another context, when one speaks of an "aquarelle," they typically reference a painting executed using the transparent technique. In contrast, the term "watercolour" might encompass a broader range of artworks, including those with more opaque applications. Watercolour paintings, as a result, can exhibit a variety of techniques and styles, with aquarelle being one of them.
While the aquarelle method requires artists to maintain the paper's whiteness to serve as the white in the painting, watercolour artists might use the medium more flexibly. They can layer, mix, or even blend with other media. Thus, while all aquarelles are watercolours, not all watercolours are necessarily aquarelles.
From a linguistic perspective, the usage of the term "aquarelle" might be more common in certain regions or art circles. In contrast, "watercolour" is universally understood and recognized in the art world, often serving as the overarching term for artworks created with water-based paints.
Comparison Chart
Origin
French origin.
General term used universally.
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Definition
Technique of transparent water painting.
Paint itself or artwork created with water-soluble pigments.
Scope
Specific method within watercolour painting.
Broad category encompassing various techniques, including aquarelle.
Flexibility in technique
Requires maintaining paper's whiteness; less room for correction.
Allows for various techniques, layering, and mixing.
Common Usage
More specific and might be regional.
Universally recognized and used term in the art world.
Compare with Definitions
Aquarelle
Artwork created without using the white paint, relying on paper for whiteness.
The aquarelle method demands careful planning to keep areas unpainted for white effects.
Watercolour
An artwork created with water-based paints.
The watercolour landscape captured the soft hues of the sunset.
Aquarelle
The French term for watercolour painting.
She learned aquarelle during her time in Paris.
Watercolour
A medium known for its transparent and luminous quality.
Many artists are drawn to watercolour for its delicate and ethereal nature.
Aquarelle
Transparent technique within the broader realm of watercolour.
She transitioned from opaque watercolour techniques to aquarelle for a more luminous effect.
Watercolour
Paint made from pigment suspended in a water-based solution.
She purchased a new set of watercolour paints for her art class.
Aquarelle
A transparent water painting technique.
She excels in the aquarelle method, producing luminous landscapes.
Watercolour
A painting method using water-soluble pigments.
He uses watercolour for its ability to blend and create soft edges.
Aquarelle
A painting executed with transparent water-based paints.
The aquarelle displayed the artist's mastery in preserving the paper's whiteness.
Watercolour
(countable) A water-soluble pigment.
Jim's aunt only uses watercolours to paint her pictures.
Aquarelle
The technique of painting with thin, transparent watercolours (as distinct from gouache)
A cover illustrated in aquarelle
Watercolour
(countable) A painting made by using such pigment.
Jim's aunt paints beautiful watercolours.
Aquarelle
A painting done in transparent watercolors.
Watercolour
(uncountable) This kind of painting as a genre.
I'm not a big fan of watercolour; I much prefer oil painting.
Aquarelle
A watercolour painting
Watercolour
Pertaining to the methods or products of watercolor.
Aquarelle
A printed picture coloured by the application of watercolour through stencils, using a different stencil for each colour.
Watercolour
To paint using watercolour
Aquarelle
A design or painting in thin transparent water colors; also, the mode of painting in such colors.
Watercolour
Water-soluble pigment
Watercolour
A water-base paint (with water-soluble pigments); used by artists
Watercolour
A painting produced with watercolors
Watercolour
Paint with watercolors
Watercolour
The category of painting that includes various techniques, like aquarelle.
While he experimented with various watercolour techniques, he loved aquarelle the most.
Common Curiosities
Is aquarelle the same as watercolour?
No, aquarelle is a transparent painting technique, while watercolour refers to the paint or artwork.
Can I use the term watercolour and aquarelle interchangeably?
Not always. While all aquarelles are watercolours, not all watercolours are aquarelles.
Is aquarelle only a French technique?
The term originates from French, but the technique is used globally.
What is the primary difference between aquarelle and watercolor?
Aquarelle and watercolor essentially refer to the same medium—painting with water-based pigments. However, "aquarelle" is a term more commonly used in Europe, while "watercolor" is the term often used in the United States.
Is watercolour always transparent?
No, watercolour can be both transparent and opaque, depending on the technique.
Is aquarelle more commonly used in certain countries?
Yes, it's more commonly used in European countries, especially France, while "watercolor" is more prevalent in English-speaking countries.
Are the materials used in aquarelle different from those in watercolor?
No, the materials such as water-based paints, brushes, and paper are typically the same.
Can I mix other media with watercolour?
Yes, artists often mix watercolour with other media for varied effects.
Is the technique different in aquarelle compared to watercolor?
No, the technique is generally the same, involving diluting pigment with water and applying it to paper.
Can I create an opaque aquarelle?
Aquarelle is known for its transparency, so an opaque version would not be true to the technique.
Why is aquarelle considered a challenging technique?
Aquarelle requires precision and doesn't easily allow for corrections.
Does aquarelle have a different history than watercolor?
No, the history is intertwined. Aquarelle is just the French term for watercolor, and both have a shared history in art.
Can the terms aquarelle and watercolor be used interchangeably?
Yes, in most contexts, they can be used interchangeably as they refer to the same art form.
Does aquarelle refer to a different style within watercolor painting?
No, it doesn't refer to a specific style; it's just a different name for the same medium.
Does the word aquarelle have a different connotation than watercolor?
Not in terms of the art medium. However, "aquarelle" might be perceived as more formal or artistic in certain English-speaking contexts due to its French origin.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
