Watercolor is undeniably one of the hardest mediums to control, the way you mix the pigm
ents with just the right amount of water, taking much care on the littlest of strokes not to mention that one must hold their brushes properly and dab on the paper carefully for it to work perfectly. Sure, it could start as a pretty mess, but there’s nothing effort and dedication can’t solve when it comes to something one is truly passionate about.
Piolo Miguel Barcelona, a BS Interior Design student from PUP Manila proved that effort is crucial for people who want to get better or get started in learning something. Even before entering Interior Design, he had always been drawn to art. Since his 8th grade, Miguel had been making watercolor artworks, despite the medium being a difficult one – this did not faze him – instead, it became his drive, more of a reason to master using watercolor. He took Arts and Design as his academic track during senior high school which he stated contributed to his improvement.
“My favorite medium overall is watercolor. Watercolor is considered to be one of the more difficult mediums; hence why I wanted to master it. I started watercoloring when I was in 8th grade and during senior high, I was able to greatly improve due to my track being Arts and Design,” Miguel stated.
His works, which range from anime art to realistic watercolor portraits and even digital art are all results of his determination to get better. Within a year, he found improvements in his art. Now, he does not only make art as a hobby, but also as another form of profit. As he decides to take interior design as a course, he uses this as a catalyst for improvement and something he could benefit from financial-wise.
“I needed to buy materials for my design subjects in college. I also used it as a way to practice drawing and painting. So far, I started to reduce the number of commissions per month because of my hectic schedule.” Entering university gave him a challenging workload, but this didn’t stop him from doing what he’s passionate about. More than the plates and works assigned to him, he still finds time to make artworks out of school requirements and take commissions.
“Make sure that you know the basics before you start opening commissions! Also, don’t force yourself to have commissions if you have a tight schedule. Lastly, magsipag ka. Matututo ka lang sa pagpapractice and I suggest that you asses your artworks and observe which parts you should improve. That’s what I did in my large improvement in just one year.”
Behind his masterpieces, there are also moments in which he doubts his skills as an interior design student. Fighting for the spotlight in the said industry is a tough battle, but equipped with a brave heart, Miguel strives to do his best and get better every day, hoping someday he can reach the top. “Actually, there are a lot of skilled artists in BSID and to be honest, I often doubt myself because I’m scared that I won’t improve as fast as they are. Even so, I still try my best and I hope that I too, can reach their level in artistry.”
Miguel seeks inspiration from a lot of artists, and his art journey is as colorful as his works. “My most memorable experience in my art journey was when I finished my four plates in our Visual Arts subject in our 12th grade in Senior high. My skill in painting increased drastically after I finished those and now, I am very confident with my watercoloring skills. In regard to my best experience in PUP, the most memorable experience so far was when we designed a rough design of a Foyer. I was able to add my personality in my design and I feel that I was able to give justice to my expectations”
Watercolor is a hard medium to control, and it always starts as a pretty mess of pigments, but with the right amount of water, the right type of paper, and more than enough of dedication and time spent, one can learn how to tame it.
Miguel is currently taking commissions, you can message him on his Instagram page @pyolsart, and you can also check out more of his works in his Facebook page Pyolsart.
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