CAROL CARTER
The Emotion of Color and Water
Carol Carter is an acclaimed American watercolor artist renowned for her luminous, large-scale paintings that merge technical mastery with deep emotional resonance. With a career spanning over three decades, Carter has not only gained international recognition through exhibitions and awards, but also cultivated a devoted following through her inspiring teaching, both in-person and online.
Artistic Style: Water, Color, and Emotion
Carter's paintings are immediately recognizable for their vivid color palettes, bold compositions, and the fluidity of transparent washes that evoke mood as much as form. Her work often blurs the line between realism and abstraction, using:
“I use water both as a medium and a message. My goal is to create a visceral connection—between the viewer and the subject, between emotion and memory.” – Carol Carter
Philosophy & Approach
Carol Carter’s process is deeply intuitive. She begins with a loose pencil drawing, then floods the paper with bold color washes, using the water’s unpredictability as a collaborator. Her approach emphasizes:
She often encourages students to “be brave” with their color and to “listen to the painting” as it evolves—a call to presence and trust.
Impact as a Teacher
Carol is a sought-after instructor around the world. Her workshops—both online and in person—focus on empowering painters to express emotion, simplify their process, and embrace fluidity. Key themes in her teaching include:
Select Accomplishments
Artistic Style: Water, Color, and Emotion
Carter's paintings are immediately recognizable for their vivid color palettes, bold compositions, and the fluidity of transparent washes that evoke mood as much as form. Her work often blurs the line between realism and abstraction, using:
- High-contrast values and saturated color to create drama
- Strategic backruns and watermarks to suggest movement and texture
- Wet-into-wet blending to create softness and visual atmosphere
- Unusual color choices to infuse emotion into ordinary subjects
“I use water both as a medium and a message. My goal is to create a visceral connection—between the viewer and the subject, between emotion and memory.” – Carol Carter
Philosophy & Approach
Carol Carter’s process is deeply intuitive. She begins with a loose pencil drawing, then floods the paper with bold color washes, using the water’s unpredictability as a collaborator. Her approach emphasizes:
- Intuition over control
- Emotion over detail
- Simplicity over complexity
She often encourages students to “be brave” with their color and to “listen to the painting” as it evolves—a call to presence and trust.
Impact as a Teacher
Carol is a sought-after instructor around the world. Her workshops—both online and in person—focus on empowering painters to express emotion, simplify their process, and embrace fluidity. Key themes in her teaching include:
- Letting go of tight control
- Using color to communicate feeling
- Painting "wet and fearless"
- Layering glazes to build form and depth
- Loosening up portraiture and figure painting
Select Accomplishments
- Signature Member of AWS and NWS
- Represented in numerous international watercolor exhibitions
- Published in American Artist, Watercolor Artist Magazine, and Splash books
- Workshop leader across the US, Europe, Asia, and online platforms
Case Example: "Swimmers Series"
In her famous Swimmers Series, Carter paints human figures submerged in water, surrounded by vibrant blues and distorted reflections. These paintings balance photorealistic elements (like hands and faces) with abstract shapes, suggesting how water distorts reality—just as memory and emotion do.
The series has become emblematic of her work, not just for its technical brilliance, but for how it captures the beauty and fragility of human presence.
In her famous Swimmers Series, Carter paints human figures submerged in water, surrounded by vibrant blues and distorted reflections. These paintings balance photorealistic elements (like hands and faces) with abstract shapes, suggesting how water distorts reality—just as memory and emotion do.
The series has become emblematic of her work, not just for its technical brilliance, but for how it captures the beauty and fragility of human presence.
Takeaways for Artists
Carol Carter’s career offers valuable insights for serious watercolorists:
Carol Carter’s career offers valuable insights for serious watercolorists:
- Mastery of technique allows for emotional freedom.
- Color is not just descriptive—it’s expressive.
- Teaching and creating can be deeply intertwined.
- Bold work comes from bold decisions.
